Prospectus for the Savoy
Leonard Smithers, 1895.
Pink wrappers. Four page booklet announcing the forthcoming publication of the Savoy, an illustrated quarterly. Beardsley's drawing of John Bull to the upper cover and Smither's Siegfried device to rear. In very good condition indeed, dusty line to rear cover and inscription to upper cover reading, "received January 1896".
Two different designs were issued for the prospectus of the Savoy. There are various hypotheses for this Lasner settles upon the explanation provided by George Bernard Shaw, who was a contributor to the Savoy, as being the most plausible. "It was not the cover of the Savoy that made trouble, but the preliminary pictorial circular. Beardsley made a charming design of a Pierrot stepping out on to the stage to announce the paper. Smithers foolishly objected that it suggested flippancy and that John Bull would like something more serious. Beardsley revenged himself by substituting a monumental John Bull for the Pierrot. Eighty thousand of this were circulated before George Moore's scrutiny detected that John had been represented in condition of strained sexual excitement. All the contributors met and informed Smithers that he must "withdraw" the circular. Not having any of the 80,000 left he agreed; and peace was restored."
Lasner 103A
Stock ID: 34157
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