ARMA (Paul). Songs of Silence. Paris: Au ménestrel, [1953]. — 11 folio-sized booklets, 320 x 243. Loose sheets. Complete collection, in first edition, of the 11 scores for voice and piano by Hungarian composer Paul Arma (1904–1987), drawn from his politically engaged musical cycle titled *Chants du silence*. Each piece is set to music based on a text by one of the great writers of the era, and each score is illustrated on its cover with a composition by a renowned artist. The collection consists of the following: - *To Youth…* based on a text by Romain ROLLAND… Cover designed by Pablo PICASSO. (Copyright dated 1945.) - *Confiance*… based on a text by Paul ÉLUARD. Cover designed by André BEAUDIN. - *Chant du désespéré*… based on a text by Charles VILDRAC. Cover illustrated by Raoul DUFY. - *Fuero*… based on a text by VERCORS. Cover illustrated by Marc CHAGALL. - *The Sun Did Not Show Itself*… based on a text by C. F. RAMUZ… Cover illustrated by Léon GISCHIA. - “Présent”… based on a text by Paul CLAUDEL… Cover illustration by Maurice ESTÈVE. - “Le Roi avait besoin de moi”… based on a text by Fanny CLAR. Cover illustration by Antoni CLAVÉ. - “Depuis toujours” (cantata)… based on a text by Jean CASSOU. Cover illustration by Georges BRAQUE. - Our Understanding… based on a text by Marie GEVERS… Cover illustration by Édouard PIGNON. - Funeral Song for a Warrior… based on a text by Claude AVELINE. Cover illustration by Henri MATISSE. - Civilization…!… based on a text by René MARAN… Cover illustration by Fernand LÉGER. Copies in very good condition, with only a few minor stains in the margins.