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First Edition. Folio, 12 1/4 x 9 inches. Extremely rare (no other copies located in the marketplace). ONLY 10 COPIES PRINTED. 12 PLATINOTYPES OF BEARDSLEY DRAWINGS FROM EVANSí PERSONAL COLLECTION, INSCRIBED BY EVANS. WITH AN IMPORTANT HOLOGRAPH INSCRIPTION BY EVANS: ìThis issue is limited to 10 sets, Frederick H. Evans,î written on the verso of the title-page. Contents laid into publisherís folder, as issued. Title-page consisting of one double page folded (i.e. four pages) as follows: ìGrotesques, by Aubrey Beardsley, Enlarged Facsimiles in Platinotype by Frederick H. Evans. (From the original drawings in his collection). Privately Printed, MCMXII.î Frederick H. Evans (1853-1943) was a prominent figure in the late 19th Century, becoming at one point a leading name in photography, and is known for his close friendship and early guidance of Aubrey Beardsley. In the early 1890s Evansís shop was a haunt for collectors, including frequent visits by Aubrey Beardsley who from 1889 had been working as a frustrated insurance clerk in the City. Evans detected ìa certain freshness of idea, a more than hint of a positive and rare beauty of lineî in Beardsleyís drawings and acquired them in exchange for books. Before long, Evans was reproducing them as platinotypes and selling them in the shop. Eventually, Evans introduced Beardsley to the noted publisher John M. Dent, which led to the publication of his vaunted ìLe Morte díArthur.î ìGrotesques, by Aubrey Beardsleyî was a project entirely conceived and carried out by Evans, using platinotypes taken of original Beardsley drawings from his collection (ìBon Motsî). Interestingly, the actual production number was extremely small, as per Evansí inscription, and below that in what appears to be another hand, appears the following: ìnegatives destroyed.î 4pp on laid paper, one folded sheet. 12 full-size fine, thick art paper on which are mounted each of 12 reproductions of Beardsleyís ìGrotesqueî drawings, printed in platinotype, on 6 x 4 inch sheets of fine beige handmade paper, each bearing the FHC logo impressed and surrounded by an oval-shaped impression. In fine condition, and housed in the original folders: quarter green cloth, faux-cloth patterned green paper-covered boards. A wonderful offering, with no other copies of this scarce Beardsley found or located. Regarding the grotesque style, William Morris said, ì.gargoyles and grotesques were evidently the work of ordinary workmen,î and Evans was readily drawn into this theme in his photographic composition, the varied expressions of individuality, fantasy, and even subversion of official aesthetic programs. A key cornerstone for any Beardsley collection. Original folders frayed, plates fine. Seller Inventory # 6451
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