First edition thus, first printing, number 5 of 300 on vélin d'arches, from a total edition of 350. Signed in pencil on the Justification Page by Henri Matisse and Andre Rouveyre. The friendship between the caricaturist and writer André Rouveyre (1879-1962) and the artist Henri Matisse (1869-1954) left a trail of art works and a correspondence of over 1,100 letters. They met at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, in 1898. After losing touch for a while, the two friends later reunited and exchanged daily correspondence as they both lived in the South of France where they had fled the World Wars. The present work is an homage to their mutual friend the writer and poet Guillaume Apollinaire (1880-1918), who famously coined the term "calligram", being a contraction of "calligraphy" and "ideogram", that is, text written in a shape related to its contents rather than linearly. Housed in blue slipcase. Aquatint frontispiece, 6 full page and 1 smaller lithographic portraits, decorative initials, wrappers and chemise by Henri Matisse. Folio. Original illustrated wrappers, gatherings loose as issued. Catalogue Raisonne: D. BK. 31. Provenance: Sotheby's New York, New York, Old Master, 19th and 20th Century Prints 6840, 03 May 1996, Lot 0596; Sheldon Ross Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan; Property from the Estate of David Lebenbom some sheets with pale time staining, faint offsetting, a few specks of pale foxing, otherwise no visible abrasions. The blue slipcase has some scattered surface scuffs and a few areas of skinning. | Please note all lots show signs of wear commensurate with age and use, and the lack of a statement regarding condition does not imply the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from defects or the effects of aging. Unless otherwise stated, all information provided is the opinion of DuMouchelles' specialists. Should you have any specific questions regarding the condition of this lot, please use the “Request Condition Report” or “Ask a Question” buttons or email conditions@dumoart.com.