30th Gala of the Union of Artists [XXXe Gala de l'Union des Artistes] (Original French program for the 1960 ceremony) by Baker, Josephine (president); Jacques Couturier (secretary); Dominique Perrin (director); Paul Dumont (assistant director); Jean Serge (host); Martine Carol, Carol Reed, Sophie Desmaret, Raoul Arnaud (members); Paul Colin, Raoul Dufy (illustrators) - 1960

Paris: Editions Lajeunesse, 1960. Original French program for the "30th Gala of the Union of Artists," here under the original French title. A lavish illustrated magazine bound in red faux suede with gilt embossed titles, featuring full-page color advertisements for motor car companies, cosmetics, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, galleries, and florists, and event programs, produced to coincide with the gala held at the Cirque d'Hiver Buglione, March 4, 1960. Both the program for the 1960 gala and a reprinted program from the first gala in 1923 are represented, the 1960 program bound in with red, white and blue cord. Laid in are a few loose advertisement cards (Elysees Club, Lola Prusac, Robert de Raemy, Josephine Baker's complimentary gifts) and affixed to the rear wrapper is a paper album sleeve for a 10-inch 78rpm record from the Vega music company. Among the advertisements are Cinzano, Esso, Guerlain, Jacqus Fath, Timwear, Shell (who backed several French publicity events), Courvoisier, Panhard, Studio Harcourt, and Schweppes. The Union was created in 1922 by founder Max Dearly, nom de plume for Lucien Paul Marie-Hoseph Rolland, a French actor whose notable credits include "Madame Bovary" (1934), "The Last Billionaire" (1934), and "Nine Bachelors" (1939). The Union established a melting pot of struggling artists, musicians, performers, actors, and their benefactors. Each gala was organized as a charity event at a circus, with clowns and animals performing, cabaret and comedy acts, and popular film stars would make guest appearances and deliver speeches, most often at the Winter event. As late as 2016, the Union still held circus charities. The March 4, 1960 event was produced by Andre Maulraux, the Minister of Cultural Affairs, and Josephine Baker was then acting president of the Union. There was a full orchestra, and presentations and performances for the night included Jo Bouillon, Michel Simon, "Holiday on Ice," Francoise Vatel and Jean-Pierre Cassel, Georges and Betty Ulmer, Sophie Desmarets, Facques Fabbri, Jean Seberg, Dawn Addams, Colette Duval with Gil Delamare, and Martine Carol. 9.5 x 12.75 inches, saddle-stitched and perfect-bound, 36 leaves, 4 loose leaves laid in. Bound-in program printed on blue stock, 8.75 x 11.5 inches, saddle-stitched, 4 leaves. Wrapper Very Good plus, Near Fine internally.