BEARDSLEY, Aubrey (1872-98, illustratore) - Thomas MALORY (c.1415-71) - Le Morte Darthur. The Birth Life and Acts of King Arthur of his Noble Knights of the Round Table. London: J.M. Dent & Co., 1893-1894.   A copy in excellent condition and exceptionally preserved in its editorial cloth binding decorated in gold. One of 1500 from the edition of 1800. This is the first of Beardsley's great masterpieces, produced when he was only 20 years old. The young artist met the publisher Dent when he was looking for someone to illustrate an edition of Morte d'Arthur. Seeing the proof drawing of 'The Achieving of the Sangreal', the publisher was blown away by the quality and set the young man to work on publishing the volumes. The result was this splendid work which derives from the medievalism of the Pre-Raphaelites, mixed together with his bizarre imagination and style influenced by Japanese art. The illustrations are among the most stunning Beardsley has ever produced.   2 volumes, 4to (241 x 188mm). Half-titles, photogravure frontispieces, 18 plates of which 5 double-page, elegant illustrations and decorations by Beardsley (very light browning). Elegant gilt publisher's cloth, upper edge gilt and the others uncut (slightly browned and soiled, minimal defects). Provenance: Clara (ownership inscription from the year of publication dated "Xmas 1893") - Silvii Zipoli (bookplate).

Estimate € 800 - 1,200

Sold € 2,400