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Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600
(MEXICAN ART / MOLINA, BENJAMIN; artist.) Romero, J. Rubén. La Vida Inútil de Pito Pérez. Bound volume containing 206 original drawings plus the final published work, created as a gift presentation. The drawings, each signed and numbered by Molina, include the published, and numerous unused images in the final work, rendered in ink, graphite, watercolor, and wash; some drawn directly on bound leaves, others on India or onionskin and mounted or tipped-in, most with captions penciled in, and page placement sketched out. The printed volume is copy number 84, and marked "Es Propiedad del Autor." Tipped in at the end is an advertising poster and brochure from La Galeria de Arte Mexicano who exhibited the first edition. Thick 4to, gilt-stamped brown leather, tips bumped, some rubbing and scuffing along the edges; split between front blanks, leaving text block slightly shaken. Mexico: published by the author, 1945
A handwritten explanation by Molina indicates that the drawings are rough preliminary sketches to be later outlined in pen. As designer of the book's layout, he chose which ones would ultimately be included in the published work, which he mentions as being a popular and widely distributed book. He concludes: "Many were the challenges that plagued the long work of illustrating [the book], and it is up to the critics and writers to mention them one day, if the interest that they might arouse should deserve to be transmitted to their colleagues and the public. Mexico, D. F. January 25th of 1947, Benjamin Molina." The story chronicles the travel adventures of the titular character as retold upon his return to his hometown of Santa Clara del Cobre. A film adaptation was also made in 1943 by Miguel Contreras Torres.
