Daphnis and Chloe; A Most Sweet, and Pleasant Pastoral Romance for Young Ladies, translated out of the Greek of Longus by Geo. Thornley
London: A. Zwemmer [printed in Paris by Philippe Gonin], 1937. Aristide Maillol (1861-1944). Limited Edition. 8vo, 7 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. (200 x 132 mm); pp. [6 (blank)] + vi +211 + colophon + [12 (blank)]; Copy 21 of 250 numbered copies on hand-made Maillol paper and SIGNED BY THE ARTIST on the colophon, with 52 original woodcuts, and 4 woodcut initials, printed in bistre; leading and bottom edges deckle. Full vellum with laced-in thongs, gilt lettering on spine, faint; pencil notations and tipped in label from earlier booksellers on inside front cover, edges stained on first 2 and last 2 blanks.
EXTRA SUITE of 45 WOODCUTS in a separate vellum portfolio, printed in black.
Fine copy in simple cardboard slipcase.
Colophon: "Aristide Maillol engraved with his own hand the wood-cuts which illustrate this book, The text is that of Thronley's translation of 1657, revised and augmented. Philippe Gonin of Paris undertook the achievement of this work, and printed it on his hand-press, for A. Zwemmer, London. Paris December 7th, 1937", followed by MAILLOL'S SIGNATURE IN PENCIL.
[Garvey 174; Garvey Wick 22; BNF32393010].
According to Eleanor Garvey "The Artist and the Book" (p. 122) this work is "perhaps the most harmonious of Maillol's illustrated books."
An ancient Greek novel written during the Roman Empire, the only known work of the 2nd century CE Greek novelist and romance writer Longus, translated by George Thornley in 1657, the story of Daphnis and Chloe inspired the French-Catalan sculptor Aristide Maillol (1861-1944) to create an extensive set of sometimes mischievous woodcuts of nymphs and lovers using the same classical lines that typify his sculpture. The format of the book is particularly suited "to the black and white balance of the decorated page" (François Chapon). The images, the luscious hand-made paper, the sensual tone of the engravings all contribute to this piquant book meant to educate and titillate the "young beauties" to whom the book is dedicated. The Epistle Dedicatory reads "To Young Beauties"..... "The ceremonies, customes, & manners of the ancient Greekes; with delightfull interspersion of their old and sweet Tales: And in short; nothing to vex you, unless, perchance, in your own conscience."
Condition: Fine.
Item number: 353
Price: $4,750.00
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