London: Oxford University Press, 1933. First edition in English. One of a hundred copies signed by Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso on the limitation page, and with the Oxford University Press typewritten publication announcement laid in. A Very Good copy. With two plates: a frontispiece by Picasso (designed specifically for this edition) and a photo reproduction of Cocteau in costume as Huertebise. Publisher's black cloth elegantly rebacked in white leather. Boards and spine titled in gilt. Slight wear to edges of boards and some foxing, mostly to preliminaries.

Orphée, Jean Cocteau's retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, was first performed in French in Paris in 1926. This Oxford University Press edition was the first publication of the play in English and the first to feature the frontispiece by Picasso, which was designed for this edition and features an abstract portrait of Orpheus with a lyre. The publication announcement reads, "For this English edition Picasso has done a frontispiece, and for that reason alone should make of this book a production of unique importance...The fact that for 12/6 purchasers can own the signature of both Cocteau and Picasso ought to guarantee the rapid exhaustion of the limited copies."

Cocteau loosely adapted Orphée into the 1950 film Orpheus. The film became the second part of his Orphic Trilogy, preceded by The Blood of a Poet (1930) and followed by Testament of Orpheus (1960). Orpheus remains Cocteau's most acclaimed film .

"Orphée should appeal strongly to all who delight in finding the joy of new artistic vision and expression. The play is unlike anything that has been done before...It would be foolish to pretend that Orphée is everyone's meat. But everyone ought to experiment and see, at least, whether it is his" (publication announcement). Very Good (Item #8090)