The toy of the poor is part of a larger poem by

the French symbolist poet Charles Baudelaire

(1821–1867). The book is printed in a 36 copy edition

and is the second co-production between Karasik

and Serge Plantureux. Through the influence of this

Parisian book and photograph dealer, Karasik made

more extensive use of the photographic collage in his

oeuvre. In this book, the artist fully integrates for the

first time lithography and photographic collage rather

than placing them next to each other. The French text

in computer print and the lithographs in earthen tones

are printed on grey paper. The 20 pages are bound in

a dark-blue paper cover, kept inside a red cardboard

slipcase.