Beardsley, Aubrey.

215 by 171mm., charcoal drawing, unsigned, mounted, framed and glazed, laid-down to mount, slight browning at extremities, minor loss to top edge of paper (not affecting image)

John Lane; sale of his collection, Anderson Galleries, 22 November 1926, lot 21

Reproduced within The Sketch, 11 April 1894 and The Early Work of Aubrey Beardsley (1899)

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."

An early self-portrait of Aubrey Beardsley formerly from the John Lane Collection of original drawings by the artist.

The reverse of the mount carries a note signed by Guy Eglington (who provided a preface to the Lane auction catalogue). This reads 'Portrait of Aubrey Beardsley | Original Drawing by Aubrey Beardsley. | John Lane Sale, A[nderson] G[alleries], 11.22.26 No 21'. The catalogue reproduces this self-portrait and provides a title of 'The Art Editor of The Yellow Book'.

The self-portrait was first published in The Sketch on 11 April 1894 where it was accompanied by the artist's portrait of 'The Editor of The Yellow Book'. Both pieces were offered in the Lane sale. 'The Editor' sold for $180 while 'The Art Editor' sold for $230. The 1926 catalogue notes this piece is 'signed on mount'. There is a title or signature still extant below the mount which may comprise an early signature of the artist. The provenance for this piece, and many others in the Lane sale, was given as 'bought by John Lane of the artist himself'.

In addition to Lane's publication of 'The Keynotes Series', 'Pierrot's Library' and Wilde's Salome, he also published The Early Work of Aubrey Beardsley (1899), The Later Work... (1901) and The Uncollected Work... (1925)

Early drawings by Beardsley are rare and works that can be traced from the John Lane collection are extremely desirable.