Lot 149

Pablo Picasso Signed Original Litho. As Part of Deluxe "Shakespeare" Ltd. Ed., Complete & Desirable!

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Pablo Picasso Signed Original Litho. As Part of Deluxe "Shakespeare" Ltd. Ed., Complete & Desirable!

Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000

Current Bid: $5,500

(10 Bids)

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

Pablo Picasso
n.p., n.d. but ca. 1965
Pablo Picasso Signed Original Litho. As Part of Deluxe "Shakespeare" Ltd. Ed., Complete & Desirable!
Signed artwork

A limited and numbered first edition of Pablo Picasso and Louis Aragon, "Shakespeare" (Paris: Éditions Cercle d'Art, 1965), containing an original frontispiece lithograph signed by Pablo Picasso, in addition to a complete suite of 12 Picasso lithographs included in the edition. N.d. but ca. 1965. N.p. Limited edition #57/150. Expected wear including uneven sunning to the covers, edges, and spines of both the book and the case. Scattered scuffs and surface loss to each, including a partial puncture to the upper spine of the case. Else clean and crisp within, and remarkably intact! Unnumbered preface; 21-56; Picasso's suite of 12 lithographs, "Extraits Shakespeare"; 109-123. Elephant folio. The book measuring 13.125" x 19.125" x 1.5" is housed in a clamshell case measuring 13.25" x 19.625" x 1.75", 9.7 lbs.

Picasso's original signed lithographs from "Shakespeare" editions often appear on the market separated from the rest of the book (the last separated one sold at Rago Auction for $13,750!) As such, Picasso signed lithographs offered with the suite of 12 lithographs, complete, are scarce and especially desirable. The illustrated book represented a collaboration between Spanish modern artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), who provided the illustrations, and Louis Aragon (1897-1982), the French Surrealist poet, who wrote the text. The book celebrated the life and work of William Shakespeare on his 400th birthday.

The original frontispiece lithograph by Picasso depicts William Shakespeare in sparse, essential delineations: his piercing eyes, goatee, and signature ruff. Pencil-signed by Picasso as "Picasso" at lower right. Pencil-inscribed "57/150" at lower left. Limited edition, with a total of 150 copies (125 numbered copies and 25 "hors commerce.") Signed and dated in stone at lower right. On Arches paper as printed by Mourlot. Slight darkening to the left edge and a negligible smudge at lower right, else near fine.

The limited edition number of the frontispiece lithograph, #57/150, matches the stated number on the copyright page of the book, "Exemplaire LVII," meaning that this is a complete edition. The hardcover book in cherry red binding by Bonnet-Martin features heavy doubleweight paper with deckled edges. The 12 other lithographs in the book depict Shakespeare and his most immortal tragic character, Hamlet, and were printed at the Ateliers de L'Imprimerie Moderne du Lion.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: clamshell case: 13.25" x 19.625" x 1.75"
  • Medium: Signed artwork

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000