Binding for H. T. Wharton’s ‘Sappho’

Aubrey Beardsley.

1898

Cloth binding with decorative blocking in gilt

9 x 6¾ inche

A cover in Beardsley’s neo-classical style which seems to contradict his emphasis on exuberant overstatement in some of his other bindings. This austere composition achieves its effects using the opposite strategy – understatement. Elegant and refined, it is one of his final – and finest – pieces of book-art.

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Photograph and text by Simon Cooke

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