[BEARDSLEY, AUBREY]. LETTERS FROM AUBREY BEARDSLEY to Leonard Smithers. Edited with introduction and notes by R.A. Walker. [London]: First Edition Club, 1937. Small square quarto. Black cloth, with decorative design in gilt, with the original acetate dust jacket (very minor tears). "The design used for the title page reproduces a drawing by Aubrey Beardsley never before published." One hundred and eighty-six letters from Aubrey Beardsley to his roguish publisher, July 1895-March 1898 -- the period from just about the time the artist was fired from 'The Yellow Book' up to- his untimely death at 25 years of age. Leonard Smithers was one of the major publishers of 'nineties books, and turned to pornography and forgery (mainly of Aubrey Beardsley) before dying in poverty. This luxury book was published by A. J. A. Symons, founder of the First Editions Club.
PROVENANCE: Estate of Jim Graham, former Washington, DC, Councilman Estimate $100-150
