TABOU and CieBiblio.com
Six Watercolor and Gouache Drawings of Underground Paris Drinking Clubs in the Early 1950s
19503713121950. Unbound. Near Fine. Color watercolor and gouache illustrations on textured paper. 8.5" x 9.75". Overall near fine with some light wear and scattered light creasing with one image subtly rubbed at a few places. Vignettes of couples in various stages of inebriation dancing and flirting with dogs and mice in each illustration. The dogs either French poodles or schnauzers are variously lifting their leg up at the bar drinking the cocktails through a straw or dealing with the mice. The walls of the club are covered in graffiti and cobwebs. The graffiti spoofs Existentialism and Bebop culture. One club is called "La Rose Noire Cafe Existentialiste" with the band called "l'Ensemble Be-Bop." The cartoon is entitled "La Nausee" referencing Sartre with the clubgoers looking hungover. Another is entitled "Indigenes de St. Germain de Pres" with two beboppers at the bar. Other graffiti is playful: "Alcool Tue Lentement Alcohol Kills Slowly." "Vive Sartre et le Coca Cola" is crossed out with "vendu aux U.S.A. Sold to the U.S.A." underneath. Other graphics include hearts with girls' names nude women and a gallows. Apparently the work of the mysterious artist Tabou & Cie with each work titled and numbered on the verso. A charming and vibrant collection of humorous French illustrations. unknown
