The First Of May, A Fairy Masque
London: Henry Sotheran, 1881. First edition. Hardcover. Unpaginated. Folio, 48 x 39 cm. Limited edition, copy 161 of 300 signed by Crane. 57 engraved plates including half-title, title, dedication, frontispiece, colophon and 52 engraved plates mounted on India proof paper containing illustrations and calligraphy by Crane. The 52 pencil designs were reproduced by Goupil and Company using photogravure, a process Crane found highly satisfactory. Loose as issued in original brown cloth portfolio gilt, printed pictorial label on upper cover This work was dedicated to Charles Darwin. SPENCER p.83-83. “a delightful inventory of imaginative design: little studies of animals and birds, grotesques, frogs, flowers and elves…….more decorous, pretty and Kate Greenaway like than ever before……….Burne-Jones greatly admired this gift book.” Scattered foxing mostly marginal. Renewed endpapers, rebacked in a very solid binding. Orig. brown cloth. front cover paper label faded. Very good. Item #23811
Price: $795.00