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Square 4to. (288 x 234 mm). [20 bifolia: 40 leaves + 'diptyque' + multiple + suite; pp. 79, (i)]. Half-title with copyright verso, printed title with 'A Souvenir d'Armand de la Beaumelle' verso and Lebel's text of 'La Double Vue', section title 'L'Inventeur du Temps Gratuit' and Lebel's text, final leaf with justification and achevé d'imprimer; also included, hors commerce, is the double-page original etching by Giacometti ('diptyque gravé à l'eau-forte'), Marcel Duchamp's original signed paper multiple ('La Pendule à Profil') and a suite of six additional original etchings by Giacometti, each signed in pencil. Loose as issued in original publisher's black paper wrappers with gold triangular cut-out vignette with title in black to front wrapper and silver circular cut-out vignette with second title to rear wrapper, Giacometti's signed diptych within blue printed boards and suite in white printed wrapper, original publisher's blue paper board chemise with black label to spine with title in blue and matching slipcase. Robert Lebel's dual novel and autobiography with Marcel Duchamp's signed multiple, Giacometti's signed diptych and the additional signed suite of his etchings. From the edition limited to 126 numbered copies on vélin cuve BFK Rives with an original double page etching by Giacometti (signed on the cover as usual) and Marcel Duchamp's original signed multiple, with this hors commerce copy with the additional suite of 6 smaller etchings, all signed by Giacometti; a further 150 'Club' copies were issued with an etching by Ferró as well as 1,200 copies with reproductions. This is one of the 15 'hors commerce' examples with 6 additional prints signed by Giacometti (as with copy no. 1); the remaining examples of the édition de tête, i.e. nos. 2 - 11, included only an additional 3 signed etchings by Giacometti. The justification, Giacometti's 'diptyque', the additional suite (and its wrapper) together with Duchamp's multiple are all designated 'H[ors]. C[ommerce]. C' in pencil. 'In addition, there are 15 copies hors commerce designated HC / A to HC / O, with the suite of 6 smaller etchings, all signed.' (Lust). 'Clock in Profile (1964) is a pliage of stiff paper with a central circle that can be folded so that the piece can stand upright. It was intended to be incorporated into the numbered edition of Robert Lebel's book La Double Vue Suivi de l'Inventeur du Temps Gratuit. Duchamp's three-dimensional materialization of the concept of l'Inventeur du Temps Gratuit ('The Inventor of Free Time') is described in Note 73 of the Notes and Projects: 'The Clock in Profile. / and the Inspector of Space'. The title of Lebel's book plays on the assonance of vue (vision) and vie (life) . Lebel, an intimate friend of Duchamp's and author of the first pioneering monograph on the artist, had published an imaginary biographical sketch of Duchamp, 'l'Inventeur du Temps Gratuit' in 1957. This, plus an equally imaginary autobiographical novel, became La Double Vue . Lebel's and Duchamp's conception of time seems to share the most ancient and universal desire of the alchemist (and of man), for the mastery of time implies the possibility of remaining eternally young.' (Arturo Schwarz - The Complete Works of Marcel Duchamp). [Schwarz 612; Lust 177 - 183].
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