Collection of 10 slim volumes (plus one duplicate), 8-16 pp. each, printed 'for educational purposes for Members of the Collège de Pataphysique', each containing lyrics and sheet music for choral songs. Octavo (approximately 8 x 6 1/4 inches each, slight variations in height). Original side-stapled printed wrappers in colored cardstock, currently loosely housed in a modern cloth-backed boards portfolio. Some light scattered soiling and handling wear, overall excellent. [Paris]: Le Collège de 'Pataphysique, 1956-1975.

The College de 'Pataphysique was founded in 1948 in Paris, based on the ideologies of the ludicrous and absurd of French writer Alfred Jarry (1873-1907). Jarry's works parodied scientific methods and claimed Pataphysics to be the study of what lies beyond metaphysics. In his posthumously published novel "The Exploits and Opinions of Dr. Faustroll, Pataphysician", Jarry coined the term pataphysics to refer to a "science of imaginary solutions" that would "examine the laws governing exceptions." It currently refers to works that utilize the language or imagery of science, but make them absurd.

The movement attracted many important writers and its network was composed of figures such as Eugene Ionesco, Jacques Prévert, Jean Dubuffet, René Clair, Remy de Gouront, René Daumal, Félix Fénéon, Boris Vian, and Raymond Queneau. The group was dedicated to ambiguous opposition to the current state of the arts. By the 1960s, there were 'Pataphysics institutes in the Americas and throughout Europe and it had begun to act as an influence in the fine arts, most notably on the Pop-Art movement. The College's own website quotes, "The Collège de 'Pataphysique was founded...to study these most important and serious of all problems: the only ones that are important and serious. Let there be no mistake: it is not a question, as some simple minds who take Jarry for a satirist seem to think, of denouncing human activities and cosmic reality; nor is it a question of promoting a mocking pessimism or a corrosive nihilism. On the contrary, it is a question of discovering the perfect harmony in all things, and through this harmony the profound concordance between people’s minds (or, equally, the ersatz which takes the place of mind). It is a question of a few people doing consciously what all others do unconsciously...Its activities have an ambiguous character. The superficial observer is amused, even delighted. He imagines he has come across a group of cruel practical jokers...A closer look and a more prolonged acquaintance with these activities will enable the observer to perceive that they correspond to a general viewpoint and an entirely new psychology, beyond laughter and even, perhaps, beyond smiling."

The Collège also instituted its own calendar in 1949. The pataphysical era (E.P.) started on Jarry's birthday, September 8, 1873, with the first day of every month starting on a Sunday. The year has 13 months each with 29 days, with all but 2 of the 29th days being "imaginary". The months also have different names, including "Absolu", "Haha", "Décervelage", "Merdre", and "Phalle". The current collection of volumes have publication dates printed to the front covers using the Pataphysical calendar.

The ten titles included here are:
1. Premiere Version Musicale de la Chanson du Décervelage.
2. Seconde Version Musicale de la Chanson du Décervelage, by Claude Terrasse (2 copies).
3. Hyme des Palotins.
4. Lauma Lamer Shanson de la Scène VIII, by Julien Torma.
5. Le Petit Lauriston by Boris Vian.
6. Polka des Gidouilles by Luc Etienne.
7. Une Supposition Chanson Folk-Lorique by René Clair.
8. Acclamation en l'Honneur de Sa Magnificence le Vice-Curateur-Baron, by Jean Racine and Jacques Prévert, with m music by Félix Mendelssohn.
9. La Royauté du Père Ubu by Pape Marcel.
10. Les Membres du Collège de 'Pataphysique sont des Helianthes.

A scarce run of this absurd publication.

Book ID: 53589

Price: $2,250.00