The Savoy
Leonard Smithers, 1896.
Collected issue. Eight volumes bound in three, first state with Leonard Smithers 1896 in gilt at the foot of the spine. 4to. Violet cloth with gilt embossed decoration after a design by Beardsley. Gilt vignette on the rear cover of publisher's Puck on Pegasus device. Christmas card by Beardsley loosely inserted in vol. 1. Illustrated in line throughout by Beardsley. Additional black and white illustrations by a variety of artists including James MacNeil Whistler and William Blake. All plates present. A very good set, some wear to extremities and occasional stains to cloth, nonetheless remaining attractive.
Beardsley and Arthur Symons collaborated to create a "new kind of magazine, which was to appeal to the public equally in its letterpress and its illustrations" and the first volume of The Savoy was published in January 1896. The declared intent of the editors was that the new magazine should be 'a manifesto in revolt against Victorian materialism'. However, in November 1896, in volume 7, Arthur Symons announced that the next volume would also be the last, but that the 8 published volumes would be issued in "three volumes, in a cover of Mr Beardsley's designing".
As well as being a vehicle for Beardsley's artwork, the journal also includes poems and short stories by him. Other contributions include poetry and prose by W. B Yeats and Arthur Symons amongst others.
Intriguingly vol. 6 includes Joseph Conrad's first published work, his short story The Idiots.
PROVENANCE: From the library of Anthony Powell, bookplate on pastedown.
Lasner 103
Stock ID: 34117
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