transition 

Issue #12, March 1928

edited by Eugene Jolas and Elliot Paul

Issue No. 12.  Paris:  transition, 1928  

Softback is overall in VERY GOOD- condition.

• Orange wraps have purple ink title and text. 
• Wraps show some darkening at edges, smudges, creasing at corners, bumping, edgewear.  Corners are bumped, softened.  See photos. 
• Spine has purple text dimmed and is darkened, with chipped ends.  See photos.
• Binding is tender; front cover shows some signs of separation.  See photos.
• Illustrations are bright and clear, plates are tipped-in, with some offset toning.  See photos.
• Publisher's advertisements follow the editorial content. 
• Interior is gently age-toned, exhibits marginal toning, a couple creased corners, light edgewear, a faint stain to title page.  See photos. 
• Inside pages have a few pencil marks in the margins.  See photos. 
• Text block edges are untrimmed. 
• PS2026.0624

194 pages. 5.5 x 7.5 inches

Issue Number 12 of transition, a landmark avant-garde modernist literary magazine launched in Paris in April, 1927 by Eugene and Maria Jolas.  Publisher's orange paper wraps printed in purple ink show some toning and smudges at edges.  Interior is gently toned, free from writing.  Spine strip has chipped ends; binding is tender.  A generally Very Good copy of this early, original issue.

This issue, published in March 1928, marks the final installment of the original monthly run of transition.  The issue celebrated the magazine's first anniversary with critical essays, surrealist texts, and serialized excerpts, including a further installment of James Joyce's Finnegan's Wake (here called "Work in Progress").  Photo reproductions of works by Andre Masson, Man Ray, Giorgio de Chirico, and Francis Picabia are included.  An Index to Volume I, Issues 1-12, is at the back.  The March 1928 editorial famously challenged the literary status quo in North America and signalled the magazine's pivot away from a purely European expatriate focus toward an exploration of American culture. 

Edited and published in Paris; the principal sales agency was Shakespeare and Co. in Paris.  Circulation was upward of 1000 copies. 

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

International first class shipping includes a handling charge to cover insurance.

Domestic orders over $250 include a handling charge to cover signature confirmation.

#panoplybooks #rarebooks #bookboutique #collectiblebooks #antiquebooks #vintagebooks #bookstore

We invite you to view our Shipping & Returns policies, or to contact us with any questions.