Obligation Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo Gambling Bond. by Marcel Duchamp, 1877-1968

Marcel Duchamp, 1877-1968
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Obligation Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo Gambling Bond.

Created in conjunction with Man Ray 1890-1976.
Lithograph in colours by Marcel Duchamp, incorporating a photographic image by Man Ray. 1924/38. From the only edition as a lithograph issued by San Lazzaro for the album 'Twentieth Century-XXe Siecle', issue no 4, Paris 1938.
Note: The original bond was issued in 1924.
Bibliography: Tate Gallery - Duchamp no 149.

Very fine impression with excellent unfaded colours. On smooth medium-stiff cram wove paper. Excellent condition. Printed to the fall sheet size, as issued. Sheet: 12 l/2ins x 8 7/8ins.(317x225mm)

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An important art/object from Duchamp's Dada/Surrealist period.

In about 1924 Marcel Duchamp thought that he had come upon a certain system for making money by gambling at roulette. He persuaded his friend Man Ray to join him in trying to raise money as 'working capital' for the scheme by offering investors a bond as security.

The bond was for 15,000 Francs at an interest rate of 20%. The most significant part of the scheme from the point of view of posterity is that Duchamp designed an illustrated bond and incorporated into it a typical Dada nonsense photograph of his face with his hair sticking-up as horns all covered in shaving soap. The photograph was taken by Man Ray.

Needless to say only about one bond was placed, and the roulette system failed anyway.

Almost none of the original 1924 bonds have survived. This version was created specially in lithography from Bond no 12 by Duchamp in 1938. It was only issued in the original 1938 edition of XXe Siecle, and has become very scarce.