"THE ONLY AMERICAN PUBLICATION WITH ORIGINAL PICASSO ETCHINGS": LYSISTRATA, SIGNED BY PICASSO
(PICASSO, Pablo) ARISTOPHANES. Lysistrata. New York: Limited Editions Club, 1934. Slim quarto, original decorative cream boards with designs by Picasso, original glassine, chemise, and slipcase.
Signed limited edition, number 848 of 1500 copies signed by Picasso, with six original etchings—"among his most important in the classical style"— and 34 in-text lithographs.
This landmark in the history of book illustration is "the only American publication with original Picasso etchings, which are among his most important in the classical style" (The Artist and the Book 226). Set in Caslon type and printed on Rives paper, this new version by Gilbert Seldes was considered by publisher George Macy to be one of the finest productions from his press. Picasso's classical illustrations are characterized by their extraordinary "purity of line and balance of composition" (Cramer). LEC 57. Cramer, 24. Strachan, 340. With promotional slip for exhibition for Picasso's illustrated books laid in.
Light expert restoration to slipcase and chemise only. Usual light wear to glassine. Book lovely and fine.