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"If [Beardsley] had never illustrated another book, this edition of Morte d'Arthur could stand as a monument of decorative book illustration." -The Twentieth Century Book |
| [BEARDSLEY, Aubrey,
illustrator]. MALORY, Sir Thomas. Le Morte D'Arthur: The Birth, Life and
Acts of King Arthur. London: J.M. Dent, 1893-1894. Quarto, original
publisher's cloth with elaborate gilt designs. $4000. First edition, one of only 1500 copies printed on paper (out of a total edition of 1800). A lavish and strikingly beautiful production, Beardsley's edition of Le Morte D'Arthur is one of the defining works of book illustration, containing, in Beardsley's distinctive style, 2 photogravure frontispieces, 4 double-page and 16 full-page illustrations, 43 ornamental borders, 288 ornamental initials, headpieces and in-text decorations. The publisher's cloth was also based on Beardsley's designs. Le Morte D'Arthur launched the 21-year-old Beardsley's career, introducing the world to the sensuous decadent style for which he became famous. Light wear to bindings and very light occasional toning to text; an excellent copy. |