"Le mythe tragique de l'Angelus de Millet" (Dali/Pauvert, 1963).

Le mythe tragique de l'Angelus de Millet
(Dali/Pauvert, 1963)

Here is an original Dali publication that I had heard about, but never thought that I would lay hands upon in my lifetime.  I don't know how many of these were actually published, but in the U.S., this book is scarce.

I picked this copy up in a lot with a few other Dali books which came from a public library collection.  This book is in decent, almost unread, condition, but is marred by some ink stains on the bottom of the front cover.  Still, the ink stains help complement the authentic schoolbook look Dali was going for with the buckle closure and typed label on the cover.

Inside, one finds the original text (in French!) and layout, with tipped-in plates on just about every other page.  I can't read French, so look elsewhere on this blog for my commentary on the English translation of this book.

For me, the "wow factor" in this book is its rarity combined with the handful of dollars I paid for it.  My copy has a number of flaws, but I value it at about $125 to the average collector.  A book in better condition is likely worth about double that, and maybe much more to a French-speaking collector (to whom the book can be more thoroughly enjoyed).

The Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dali "Deluxe Limited Edition."

The Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dali
Deluxe Limited Edition of 300

This is the rarely seen Deluxe Edition of the Field catalog.  It differs from the Standard Edition in several ways:

• The dust jacket carries the same ISBN as the Standard Edition, but a small sticker on the rear inside flap distinguishes the Deluxe Edition ($360 price tag vs. $285 for the Standard Edition);
• The Deluxe Edition cover is brown (leather?);
• Most notably, the Deluxe Edition is signed by author Albert Field on the front title page.

My copy was purchased from a seller in Hawaii and has a personal inscription to two people.  

The first is Joseph Kealapua Melillo.  I found a July 26, 2006 obituary of a Joseph A.V. Kealapua Melillo of Honolulu in the Honolulu Star Bulletin:

Joseph A.V. Kealapua Melillo, 58, of Honolulu, a chef and entrepreneur, will be remembered in services 11 a.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. He died in Kaiser Medical Center. He was born in Summit, N.J. He is survived by companion Patrick Kelly Lagon, brother Fred and sister Barbara.

 The second is Patrick Kelly Lagon, presumably the same man mentioned in the obituary above.

It is not clear whether all Deluxe Editions have a personal inscription, but it is likely that they are all signed by Albert Field.

The Deluxe Edition is the rarest version of this already rare book and is likely worth a bit more than the Standard Edition.  I have never seen another available, and I would estimate the value at more than $400.

Lincoln Mint "Easter Christ" (1972) Variants.

Presented here are a few variants to this common collectible which have recently joined my collection.


The first is this beautiful Easter Christ in 24K gold on sterling silver (vermeil).  It comes in the same box as the sterling version except that the cover logo is in gold, and the interior is done in white satin. 


This version tends to be far more scarce than the sterling version, but auction results suggest that its value is about the same as the sterling version.

This one is serial number 2153 of a limited edition.

The next variant comes in the form of a sterling version box that is missing the cover logo.  In all other respects, the box is identical to the regular sterling version box.
This plate is still sealed in its original packaging, so I am not sure what serial number it has.  On information and belief, the serial number is likely either 5326 or 5393.

The final variant is a bit of an enigma, and might be in a class of its own.

It comes packaged in a box that, on the outside, looks like a regular sterling version.  However, the logo on the inside of the lid is very different.  It appears to be a sticker stuck on top of the satin.

The plate itself is not stamped with a serial number on the underside.  It only has the number "27" stamped into it.

The metal of this plate feels flimsy.  It can be bent easily with the hands.  In fact, it came to me a bit warped around the rim.

It seems poorly made, and one artifact of its flawed production is the ghost imprint under the nail on one arm of the cross.  This imprint does not exist on authentic versions of this plate.

The plate weighs 321.5 grams within its plastic shrink wrap, which is close enough to the mass of the known sterling version (~ 315-323 g) to make this a decent counterfeit.

I hypothesize that this version is either a sales sample or a proof.  On the other hand, it could just be a counterfeit made of a base metal.

I have not seen another of these, so more information is needed about this item.

Finally, here is something you don't see every day: an original magazine advertisement for the Easter Christ plate.  The purchase price is listed as $150.  At that time, silver cost about $2 per ounce, so the plate had fewer than $20 worth of silver in it!!!

Dali's Teatro Museo Figueras Inauguration 1974 Coin/Medal/Medallion.

Dali's Teatro Museo Figueras
Inauguration 1974
Coin/Medal/Medallion

This coin was likely minted to commemorate the September 1974 inauguration of Dali's Teatro Museo in Figueras Spain. 

One side of the coin is dated "28 IX 74" which corresponds to the museum's opening.

It is a shiny silver color and has been represented to be sterling silver, however no silver hallmarks are visible on this tiny coin. 

It is about 17 mm in diameter (just a bit smaller than a US dime), and has about a 2.2 gram mass.

Nothing more is known about this coin, and it seems quite rare. If it is truly composed of sterling silver, then it is likely worth about $15.

Illustrated by Salvador Dali: Essays of Michel de Montaigne--sealed, mint.

I recently stumbled upon this rare item. 

It's not just any copy of Montaigne; it's a mint condition copy still sealed with the Literary Guild card inside.  I have never seen one of these books still sealed like this--a rarity indeed!

Like a collectible toy in its original unopened package, this book should be worth a premium to a collector.  I snatched this up for fewer than $20, but I am certain it is worth more than $75 to the right person.

BTW, I don't plan to open it, so for now this mint copy will be preserved in its original condition.

Here, for the first time ever, are all 16 of the full-page, color illustrations from this fine book, followed by a number of the black-and-white illustrations.



Salvador Dali Lithographic Reproduction: "God of War" (Athena).

Salvador Dali Lithographic Reproduction:
"God of War" (Athena)

The origin of this image is The Mythology print suite of etchings and engravings (Field catalog #63-3P, pp. 24-25).  The print pictured here is a lithographic reproduction of the work titled "Athena." 

The Graphic Art Society COA attached to the backing board of this print identifies the title as "God of War."  The print is pencil numbered 9/500 which is also indicated on the COA.

The paper is an off-white cream color laid paper type (with a pattern of close parallel lines in one direction and wider-spaced parallel lines at right angles), measuring  15 3/16" x 10 15/16".  There is a "Hamilton Andorra" watermark on the bottom edge of the paper.  The print was easy to frame because the image fits within a standard mat opening of 10.5" x 13.5".

There is no indication of the year that this was produced, but the tape residue remaining on the print is sufficiently aged to indicate a vintage print.

There is absolutely no information about this print in the Field catalog or on the internet.  My gut tells me that it is probably an unauthorized print, and that it is not worth much.  Nevertheless, it's a pretty neat image, and it looks great on my wall.  It turns out to be an affordable alternative to an authentic limited edition Dali intaglio print.

I picked this vintage lithographic print up for fewer than $40.  Not likely to see another one of these any time soon.