- 94
Beardsley, Aubrey--Malory, Sir Thomas
Estimate
25,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- Beardsley, Aubrey--Malory, Sir Thomas
- Le Morte Darthur. Dent, 1893-94
- PAPER
4to, first edition, 3 volumes from the original parts, one of 1800 copies of which this is number 143 of 300 copies on Dutch hand-made paper, extra-illustrated with nineteen of the original ink drawings by Aubrey Beardsley window mounted and inserted by the corresponding printed image, two photogravure frontispieces and other illustrations by Beardsley, printed in red and black, original pictorial vellum gilt, top edges gilt, some faint and occasional offsetting, some leaves discoloured, some professional repairs to hinges
A superb copy which includes nineteen original ink drawings by the artist. These comprise:
Volume I: 1) ink drawing for the printer’s device; 2) ornamental device at the beginning of Book I chapter XII; 3) ornamental device at the beginning of Book II chapter X; 4) opening initial at the beginning of Book IV chapter I; 5) ornamental device at the beginning of Book VII chapter XXIII; 6) ornamental device at the beginning of Book VII chapter XXV
Volume II: 7) opening initial at the beginning of Book VIII chapter I; 8) ornamental device at the beginning of Book VIII chapter V; 9) ornamental device at the beginning of Book VIII chapter XXVIII; 10) ornamental device at the beginning of Book IX chapter X; 11) ornamental device at the beginning of Book IX chapter XVIII; 12) ornamental device at the beginning of Book X chapter XXVII; 13) ornamental device at the beginning of Book X chapter XLIV; 14) ornamental device at the beginning of Book X chapter LXV; 15) ornamental device at the beginning of Book X chapter LXX
Volume III: 16) ornamental device at the beginning of Book XII chapter VII; 17) opening initial at the beginning of Book XV chapter I; 18) ornamental device at the beginning of Book XVI chapter IV; 19) large pictorial device at the beginning of Book XVIII chapter XXIV
A superb copy which includes nineteen original ink drawings by the artist. These comprise:
Volume I: 1) ink drawing for the printer’s device; 2) ornamental device at the beginning of Book I chapter XII; 3) ornamental device at the beginning of Book II chapter X; 4) opening initial at the beginning of Book IV chapter I; 5) ornamental device at the beginning of Book VII chapter XXIII; 6) ornamental device at the beginning of Book VII chapter XXV
Volume II: 7) opening initial at the beginning of Book VIII chapter I; 8) ornamental device at the beginning of Book VIII chapter V; 9) ornamental device at the beginning of Book VIII chapter XXVIII; 10) ornamental device at the beginning of Book IX chapter X; 11) ornamental device at the beginning of Book IX chapter XVIII; 12) ornamental device at the beginning of Book X chapter XXVII; 13) ornamental device at the beginning of Book X chapter XLIV; 14) ornamental device at the beginning of Book X chapter LXV; 15) ornamental device at the beginning of Book X chapter LXX
Volume III: 16) ornamental device at the beginning of Book XII chapter VII; 17) opening initial at the beginning of Book XV chapter I; 18) ornamental device at the beginning of Book XVI chapter IV; 19) large pictorial device at the beginning of Book XVIII chapter XXIV
Literature
Lasner 22 (special issue)
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
In his memoirs, the publisher J.M. Dent noted that ‘we had thought of producing Malory’s Morte d’Arthur in such a form as would appeal to the general reader, and we hoped to obtain decorations in keeping with the mediaeval spirit of the book. But at first it proved very difficult to find the right artist. I had already used the work of several young men… but found none with sufficient originality and feeling for harmonious design.’ Dent was shown some work by Beardsley by the bookseller F.H. Evans and Dent recalled ‘…I instinctively felt that here was a new breath of life in English black-and-white drawing. Its chief feature was a wonderful balance in black and white, giving force and concentration as well as a sense of colour. Its value as decorative art was at once apparent. The young artist… was then barely nineteen years of age, and when I saw him I was shocked at his emaciated appearance… He was a strange boy, “weird” is the right description... …the book was a joy to produce… there was also a Large Paper edition on Dutch hand-made paper which was subscribed for at once and has long been difficult to procure…The book startled the critics considerably… Joseph Pennell at once realised the new “value” of its art and praised the work to excess, and Beardsley was soon imitated by many young artists… They “discovered” that “colour” and “balance” in black and white which has ever since been a feature of modern work…’ (see The House of Dent 1888-1938, London, 1938, pp. 67-69)