Matisse, Henri, 1869-1954.
Limited Editions Club.

Issued in a slipcase.

Additional modern half morocco and cloth folding clamshell case added later to LO LB 545, and present at time of acquisition. Illustrated with six original etchings, accompanied by reproductions of the preliminary sketches.

LO LB 545 signed in ink by James Joyce and in pencil by Henri Matisse. 'This edition of James Joyce's Ulysses consists of fifteen hundred copies made for the members of The Limited Editions Club. The illustrative etchings and drawings having been created especially for this edition by Henri Matisse. The edition was designed by George Macy and printed at the Printing-Office of The Limited Editions Club, this copy being number 636. Signed by Henri Matisse / James Joyce.

First American printing of the corrected Odyssey Press text. From an edition of 1500 numbered copies, signed by Matisse, this is one of only 250 copies signed as well by Joyce. A textually significant edition, whatever the shortcomings of its design (by George Macy) and the inappropriateness of the illustrations (Matisse illustrated Homer rather than Joyce, a factor allegedly contributing to Joyce's reluctance to sign the entire edition). "One of the very few American livres de peintres issued before World War II. According to George Macy, who undertook this only American publication of Matisse's illustrations, he asked the artist how many etchings the latter could provide for five thousand dollars. The artist chose to take six subjects from Homer's Odyssey. The preparatory drawings reproduced with the soft-ground etchings (Matisse's only use of this medium) record the evolution of the figures from vigorous sketches to closely knit, if less spontaneous, compositions" - Artist & The Book. Slocum & Cahoon A22. Artist & the book 197.

Physical description: xv, 363 p., [26] leaves of plates : ill. ; 31 cm.

Citations/References: Slocum & Cahoon A22. Artist & the book 197.