LAWRENCE, D. H.. The Paintings.. London: The Mandrake Press, 1929, 1929.

Price: US$9687.04 + shipping

Description: First edition, first impression, "out of series" presentation copy, inscribed "To W. J. Dieper, who printed this book, in appreciation of the trouble he took with it. P. R. Stevenson. Edward Goldston". The edition was limited to 510 copies with the first ten bound in vellum and printed upon Japanese vellum. Roberts & Poplawski state some special copies were "out of series", as here. The colophon to the book notes "Typography and production arranged by P. R. Stevenson. Letterpress and colour-work under the supervision of William Dieper". The Paintings of D.H. Lawrence was the first book issued by the Mandrake Press, founded by P. R. Stevenson and Edward Goldston in 1929. Stevenson had been associated with Jack and Norman Lindsay in the Fanfrolico Press and was a friend of Lawrence's. This handsome publication reproduces Lawrence's colour paintings and is prefaced with a 33-page introduction by Lawrence. Roberts & Poplawski state "Perhaps less is known of Lawrence's work as a painter than of any other facet of his creative activity. Most of the paintings reproduced in this volume were done in Italy at the Villa Mirenda in 1928, although some were painted in Switzerland and other places to which the Lawrences journeyed during the period. Lawrence was quite impressed with the proposal to reproduce the paintings in such an elaborate format and was especially struck with the ten copies on vellum which were to sell for 50 guineas". The "ordinary" copies were sold at ten guineas. Robert & Poplawski A46(b), "out of series" copy. Quarto. Original vellum, spine lettered in gilt, covers with device of phoenix and ruled border in gilt, all edges gilt. 26 colour plates with captioned paper guards, all by D. H. Lawrence. Some light soiling to vellum, lower corners slightly bumped: a near-fine copy.

Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom