A Dramatic Poem by Richard Wagner, freely translated in Poetic Narrative Form by T.W. Rolleston.
Tannhauser A Dramatic Poem by Richard Wagner, freely translated in Poetic Narrative Form by T.W. Rolleston.
Harrap, 1927.
Second edition. 4to. In the rare publisher's deluxe binding, full roan with inlaid decoration in gilt, blue and pink. Top edge gilt others untrimmed. Beautifully illustrated throughout with each text page elaborately decorated with orange borders and black line illustrations. There are 12 mounted colour plates, as well as many full page black and white plates and lots of smaller drawings in the text. A very good copy indeed, slightly faded to the spine and occasional slight spotting, but an excellent and attractive example.
Publisher George Harrap loved to issue his 'Beautiful Books' in different formats, with small numbers of special bindings, his relationship with Pogany was a close one built on mutual respect and admiration. In an interview given by Pogany in the late 1920's Pogany gave the following insight, "I went to London in 1904 as a young and untried artist, but I knew all the time what I wanted to do....it was George Harrap who gave me my first big chance. Instead of holding me down to prescribed limits as others had done, he gave me a free hand in doing books as I wanted them done."
Pogany loved to produce ornate decorations for his books from elaborate cover designs, to the mixture of water colours, steel etchings and line drawing and these special editions are more than mere books they are literary works of art.
PROVENANCE: Bookplate of Richard Livingstone to front pastedown.
Ibis Journal 34d.
Stock ID: 46135
