BEARDSLEY, AUBREY. 1872-1898., MALORY, THOMAS. 1415-1471.

The Property of Nicole and William M. Keck II. Sold without reserve to benefit charitable institutions.
BEARDSLEY, AUBREY. 1872-1898.
MALORY, THOMAS. 1415-1471. The Birth, Life, and Acts of King Arthur. [London: J.M. Dent], 1893-94.
2 vols. 4to. 2 photogravure frontispieces, 18 wood-engraved plates, illustrations, chapter headings, borders and initials throughout text, all from designs by Beardsley. Contemporary vellucent hand-painted vellum by Cedric Chivers of Bath, front covers with panels recreating illustrations by Beardsley from the text, top edges gilt, green cloth slipcases. Minimal wear, slight browning.

LIMITED EDITION, one of 1,500 copies (of 1,800 total), this bound in a pictorial vellucent binding by Chivers, incorporating his angels and poppy motif. Published when he was only 32 years old, King Arthur was his first illustrated book, and began what has been called the "Beardsley period" in illustration. Gordon Ray has said simply, "The Malory drawings are his strongest illustrations" (The Artist and the Book 16).