Description

Sleeping fit manuscript of Rrose Sélavy - alias Duchamp, alias Desnos in a sleeping fit - of 14 October 1922 In addition to some new verbal creations by Rrose Sélavy - alias Duchamp, alias Desnos in a sleeping fit - this session is of major interest: with the description of 'Cancer', a character appearing in several 'sleeping fits' (as noted by the scribe), Desnos weaves a link between the different sessions. We can see this through recurring themes, but it is explicitly provided here by the dreamer and this is all the more striking as the description is prospective: it precedes the subsequent appearances of Cancer, as if to introduce them. This tends to bring the cycles of 'sleeping fit’ works closer together, each session opening a chapter. First period of hypnotic sleeping fits 14 October 1922: 2 pages in-4° on Littérature letterheaded paper handwritten in black pencil by Desnos on the front: "The thundering planets in the sky frightening the quails in love with the astonishing plants with scale-like leaves cultivated by Rrose Sélavy." Verso: "Description of a character later referred to as Cancer: tall, fairly broad-shouldered, athletic, about 30 years old, ruddy, blue eyes, black hair, grey suit, a café where Eléonore is played, drinks gin, no nationality, possibly related to Mr. D." (Marcel Duchamp), text dated 14.10.(1922).

Creation date	1922
Date of publication	1922
Languages	French
Physical description	Ms et Ds - crayon noir
Library	Bibliothèque littéraire Jacques Doucet, Paris : BRT 161
Method of acquisition and collection	Bibliothèque littéraire Jacques Doucet, Paris, don Aube et Oona Elléouët
Reference	56000
Breton Auction, 2003	Lot 2026
Keywords	Work notes, Psychoanalysis, Dream, Automatic Writing
Categories	Manuscripts, Surrealists Manuscripts
Set	[Manuscripts] Sommeils
Permanent link	https://www.andrebreton.fr/en/work/56600100241050