Griffe de Picasso: autograph signature and dedication to Carlo Cardazzo

In the publishing landscape of the 1960s, few volumes embody with equal force the dialogue between poetry, visual art and collecting as this copy of André Verdet's Griffe de Picasso, published by Éditions Parler in Nice in 1961. The present copy is not merely a first edition in remarkable condition, but a direct witness to the relationship between Picasso's circle and the Italian post-war avant-garde, thanks to the presence of two exceptional autographs: Pablo Picasso's signature in red pastel on the title page and André Verdet's autograph dedication to Carlo Cardazzo, dated 1961.

Bibliographic notes

Griffe de Picasso was conceived as a poetic and photographic homage to the Spanish master, at a time when Picasso was living permanently in the French Midi. André Verdet (1913-2004), poet, painter and art critic, was among Picasso's closest collaborators during the Vallauris and Cannes years, documenting with literary sensitivity the artist's daily life and creative process. The volume, published in octavo format with original wrappers, features an original cover designed by Picasso himself, an element that significantly enhances its bibliophilic value. Photographs by Robert Picault and Jacqueline Roque (Picasso's second wife from 1961) complete the iconographic apparatus, offering an intimate glimpse into the Picassian universe. The limited print run and restricted distribution make this edition particularly rare on the antiquarian market: the BookOracle rarity score of 78/100 places the volume in the 'High' bracket, confirming the difficulty of locating copies in comparable condition.

Provenance and condition

The provenance of this copy constitutes its defining feature. Carlo Cardazzo (1908-1963) was the most influential Italian gallerist of the post-war period, founder of the Galleria del Cavallino in Venice in 1942 and the Galleria del Naviglio in Milan in 1946. Cardazzo introduced to Italy artists such as Lucio Fontana, Alberto Burri and Tancredi Parmeggiani, and was the principal promoter of Italian Art Informel, establishing cultural bridges with Paris and New York. His personal library reflected a network of international relationships of the highest order: Verdet's dedication testifies to a direct relationship between the French poet-critic and the Venetian gallerist, whilst Picasso's signature in red pastel adds a further layer of authenticity and prestige. It is likely that the volume was presented to Cardazzo during a personal encounter or a visit to the Côte d'Azur, a common practice in exchanges between artists, poets and gallerists of the period. The condition is excellent: the original wrappers show slight edge wear, consistent with respectful handling over six decades, whilst the interior remains fresh, without foxing or staining. The autographs are perfectly legible and show no smudging or chromatic alteration.

Market value

The BookOracle valuation places this copy in the €2,400-3,700 range, justified by the convergence of multiple factors: bibliographic rarity, dual autograph, documented provenance and condition superior to the average. On the international market, first editions of Griffe de Picasso without autographs generally range between €400 and €800, depending on condition. Copies signed by Verdet reach €1,200-1,800, whilst the presence of Picasso's signature multiplies the value exponentially. Parisian auction houses have recorded over the past five years hammer prices between €2,800 and €4,200 for volumes with Picasso autographs on minor editions, but the combination of dual signature and Cardazzo provenance is virtually unique. Provenance from a collection of such historical significance adds a documented premium: volumes from Cardazzo's library, when offered on the market, have historically exceeded estimates by 30-50% thanks to interest from museum institutions and collectors specialising in the history of Italian collecting. The market for Picasso autograph material remains solid, with consistent demand from European and American bibliophiles.

Why it matters

This copy of Griffe de Picasso transcends the dimension of the artist's book to become a historical document in its own right. It crystallises a precise moment in European cultural history: 1961, the year Picasso married Jacqueline Roque, when Italian Art Informel reached international maturity, when relationships between Paris and Milan intensified thanks to bridge figures such as Cardazzo. The dual autograph transforms the volume into a relational object, witness to friendships, intellectual exchanges and networks of patronage that defined twentieth-century art. For scholars of Italian collecting, the presence of this book in the Cardazzo library offers a starting point for investigating the channels through which the Venetian gallerist built his symbolic capital and international alliances. For collectors of Picassiana, this represents a rare opportunity to acquire an autograph of the master in a quality editorial context, far removed from the commercial lithographs that saturate the market. Finally, for enthusiasts of artists' books, Griffe de Picasso represents a paradigmatic example of collaboration between poet and painter, in which text, image and graphic design merge into an indivisible unity.