PBA Galleries

[28] pp. Illustrations from photographs. 27x21cm (10½x8¼") original paper wrappers. Prices realized laid in. First (only) Edition.

Catalog for the legendary auction of African sculpture from the collection of Paul Guillaume. The collection was a great influence to the art of Matisse, Brancusi, Modigliani and Picasso, and many others. The collection's genesis was the inadvertent delivery of a collection of primitive African art to the mechanics shop where Guillaume worked. His collection attracted modernist continental painters who fell under the spell of the collection and Guillaume's personality. In short order, he was representing those artists. In 1934 Guillaume died unexpectedly; his wife, once accused of murdering him, assumed and cultivated his collection before selling the African works at this important auction.