Salome. A Tragedy In One Act
New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1927. 1st Edition. Quarto, publisher’s black paper-covered boards, spine and upper board gilt, illustrated endpapers, laid paper speckled with silver printed stars, original illustrated dust jacket.
Art Deco-style illustrated edition of Wilde’s one-act tragedy. Produced during the height of the Irish poet and dramatist’s literary career, the play was inspired by his encounters with the French Symbolists and was purportedly written in a single sitting after a night spent among them in Paris. Written in French, and translated by the playwright himself, Wilde never saw the play staged in his native language during his lifetime, owing to the fact that biblical depictions in theatrical productions were forbidden in England. Illustrated with thirteen black-and-white plates after gouache drawings by influential industrial designer and artist John Vassos. A visionary in broadcast design, Vassos was also revered for his Art Deco book illustrations. He additionally illustrated two other Wilde titles (The Ballad of Reading Gaol and Harlot's House and Other Poems), earning comparisons with Aubrey Beardsley, who illustrated the play's 1894 first edition. Published simultaneously with a signed limited edition. Some wear to corners and spine-ends; unclipped dust jacket with moderate chipping and edgewear, trace of cellotape residue to flaps and verso. Very good. Item #13200
$250.00