Collection des plus beaux numéros de comoedia illustré et des programmes consacrés aux Ballets & Galas Russes depuis le début a Paris 1909-1921.

The best of the Ballets Russes. A wonderful collection of the most important issues of Comoedia Illustré compiled and edited by the programme publishers, Maurice and Jacques de Brunhoff. Produced in a very limited edition, the work vividly documents the groundbreaking ballets of the troupe from 1909 through to 1921. Each performance is accompanied by explanatory text by the Russian ballet critic and friend of Diaghilev, Valerian Svetlov.

The illustrations feature the most famous costume designs by Leon Bakst (often heightened with gilt) as well as Picasso's striking pochoir plates for 'Parade'. The programme for 'Parade' also features Apollinaire's famous foreword where he coins the word surrealism.

Folio (34.5 cm x 26.5 cm); compilation of original Ballets Russes programmes either bound directly or pasted on to paper, interspersed with text by Valerian Svetlov, profusely illustrated throughout with colour plates after Bakst, Cocteau, Matisse, Derain, Benois and others, two pochoir plates after Picasso, some wear to paper edges; rebound in green morocco retaining the original inset colour panel after Goncharova, gilt ruled, a very good copy.