La Machine du Povoir

A Máquina Do Poder (Portugal)

by

Michel Jeury (as A. Higon)

Book Description: Lisboa, «Livros do Brasil», «Colecção Argonauta N.º79», 1964, 16mo.

Cover Artwork: Lima de Freitas

Edition: First Portuguese Edition

Book Condition: Good.Some cover and spine wear. Interior intact.

«Colecção Argonauta» is a mythical Portuguese collection of paperback SCI-FI books, published by «Livros do Brasil». This collection pioneered the dissemination of science fiction in Portugal and was one of the most influential Portuguese language publications in the genre. All of the most important and famous writers of the genre were at the time published, (most of them as first edition): Clifford D. Simak, Robert Heinlein, A. E. Van Vogt, Brian Aldiss, Frederik Pohl, Ray Bradury, Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick,  Arthur C. Clarke and so many others.

Number 1 to number 100 were published between 1954 and 1965, the collection would last for more than 60 years ending with number 552.

The earliest numbers are ferociously sought out by SCI-FI fans, not only because of their scarcity but most of all because of theire exquisite and stunning artwork covers. Covers design were created by Candido Costa Pinto (Portuguese Surrealistic Artist that formed and joined the "Grupo Surrealista de Lisboa" with Mário Cesariny, António Dacosta, Vespeira and others) and by Lima de  Freitas a Portuguese painter illustrator, ceramicist and writer.

«Lima de Freitas»  (1927–1998) was a Portuguese painter, illustrator, ceramicist and writer. He studied at the Escola Superior de Belas Artes de Lisboa.

He illustrated over 100 books. He exhibited his works from 1946 and had solo exhibitions from 1950. He first exhibited at the age of 20 at II Exposição Geral da Academia de Música e Belas Artes da Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes. He exhibited all over Portugal as well as in England, Denmark, Poland and France. He was initially linked with Neorealism (art). In 1968 he collaborated with Patrick Swift and opened the Porches Pottery (Olaria Algarve).^[3Among his various awards he was awarded the Medalha de Honra da Cidade (Freedom of the City), Setúbal, "Chevalier et Officier de L’Ordre du Mérite" (Ordre national du Mérite) by the French government, and Order of Saint James of the Sword (a Portuguese Order of Chivalry). Between 1976 and 1978 he was Director-General of the State Secretariat for Culture and later became Director of The National Theatre of Portugal. He was also a Freemason Master Mason.

His iconic work in «Colecção Argonauta» reflects a carefull and detailed attention to the novel content (which was - shockingly I say - always read by Lima) and shows a perfect symbiose betweeen Classic Technical Mastery and Symbolic visual pleasure. Any of his artwork cover design alone worths a place in any museum. Please enjoy.

Book Condition:

New - A new book is unread, in print and in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages.
As New - To be used only when the book is in the same immaculate condition to which it was published. There can be no defects, no missing pages, no library stamps, etc., and the dustjacket (if it was issued with one) must be perfect, without any tears.
Fine (F or FN) - Approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp. For the use of the term Fine, there must also be no defects, etc., and if the jacket has a small tear, or other defect, or looks worn, this should be noted.
Very Good (VG) - Describes a book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper. Any defects must be noted.
Good (G) - Describes the average used worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted.
Fair - Worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, jacket (if any), etc., may also be worn. All defects must be noted.
Poor - Describes a book that is sufficiently worn, to the point that its only merit is as a Reading Copy because it does have the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc