Prix Praline 1959

Paris: Club de la Publicite, 1959. Original French program for the award ceremony, "Prix Praline 1959." held at the Etoile and presented by the Publicity Club in Paris, May 25, 1959. From the collection of Christian de la Maziere, addressed to him in manuscript ink on the inside. One of 500 copies, this being No. 383, printed May 15, 1959 on the Nebiolo Presses of Darboy in Montreuil. Laid in is a loose leaf with sponsors printed in black on pink and white floral illustration.

The ceremony amandine awarded the guest of honor, perhaps de la Maziere, their weight in pralines, after a jury decided their eligibility. The guest would also be awarded a Panhard Dyna, a lightweight motor car then in its final year of production, and a flower basket and cocktail. The event seems a little seedy, but production values were high enough to produce this vivid, elegant program.

Founder Froissant was married to French actress Sophie Desmarets, and was involved in film publicity, but little is documented. Christian de la Maziere (1922-2006) was a journalist and member of the Charlemagne Division of the Waffen SS, and was featured in Marcel Ophuls' documentary "The Sorrow and the Pity" (1969), discussing his military service. He worked for the fascist newspaper "Le Pays Libre" before joining Charlemagne, and his autobiography "The Captive Dreamer" (1974) was based largely on experiences at Vichy.

Single sheet folded once vertically, 9.25 x 12 inches, card stock. Laid-in sponsors leaf 8 x 10.5 inches. Very Good plus overall, light toning, rubbing, and foxing.

[Book #143921]