EXCURSIONS ET VISITES DADA. PREMIERE VISITE. EGLISE SAINT JULIEN

MERCI POUR LE FUSIL

(Dada)
EXCURSIONS ET VISITES DADA. PREMIERE VISITE. EGLISE SAINT JULIEN LE PAUVRE. JEUDI 14 AVRIL.
Paris, s.p., 1921
27.5 x 22cm, 1pp. First edition of this document / programme which was circulated upon a (first and only) public gathering of the Dadaists promoted as a 'tourist visit' (Breton's idea of a public provocation - with other later putative visits planned to the Louvre and Parisian forests). Typographically interesting, the leaflet points out that the Dadaist purpose of a 'guided tour' was intended to be much more political than the usual bit of bourgeois history related by a guide. The participants on this venture included Crotti, Breton, Eluard, Ribemont-Dessaignes, Peret, Aragon, Tzara and Soupault amongst others (some of whom are listed in the leaflet as 'guides' for the visit). However it rained and the turnout was not as great as expected by the optimistic organisers. After various manifesto statements and ad-lib performances, Breton declared: "All that has happened up to now under the sign of Dada was just a sideshow" indicating the split with the movement's principle figures (such as Tzara) to come as Breton moved his personality centre-stage. The event was deemed a failure and the other tours were suspended; soon after the Dadaists began to bicker with Picabia and Breton leading differing factions. Ultimately Breton's 'Literature' group formed the core of the surrealist group.  The leaflet has a central text by Breton and short aphorisms in blue by Tzara. Exceptionally rare and near fine with only flattened crease marks from a previous folding into eighths and one tiny paper loss (less than 0.2mm) on the left edge.