TITLE: Lysistrata
AUTHOR: Aristophanes
PUBLISHER: Limited Editions Club
PLACE: New York
YEAR: 1934
NUMBERED: 252/1500
NO.OF PAGES: 117 including 6 Picasso etchings and 34 in-text lithographs
BINDING: Original decorative cream boards with designs by Pablo Picasso
SIZE:
Height: 30 cm
Width: 24 cm
Depth: 2 cm

CONTAINS 6 RARE ETCHINGS AND 34 IN-TEXT LITHOGRAPHS BY PABLO PICASSO. THIS IS A NEW VERSION BY GILBERT SELDES, WITH A SPECIAL INTRODUCTION BY HIM..br.
THIS IS AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE LIMITED EDITIONS CLUB BOOK ILLUSTRATED BY PICASSO AND WITH HIS ORIGINAL SIGNATURE.

Illustrated with six etchings in black by Picasso and thirty-four in-text lithographs printed in sanguine after drawings. This is the only American publication with original Picasso etchings, which are "among his most important in the Classical style," according to "The Artist and the Book."

From the colophon: Copy number 252 of this edition of LYSISTRATA

Fifteen hundred copies were printed for members of The Limited Editions Club from the etchings and drawings made exclusively for this edition by Pablo Picasso, who signs this copy: Picasso. This edition has been designed by George Macy and printed, in Caslon types on Rives paper, at The Printing-Office of The Limited Editions Club, Westport, Connecticut: Julian E. Berla, manager; John F. McNamara, pressman; John T. Logan, stoneman.

From the Introduction: THE LYSISTRATA of Aristophanes is probably the oldest comedy which has a fairly permanent place in the modern theatre. In Lysistrata, Aristophanes has dealt with two themes, war and sexual love, neither of which has been affected by any change in fashion. The exceptional merit of Aristophanes is that he has treated the conjunction of love and war with hard-headed intelligence, with realism.

Picasso's artwork for this book has a classical style far removed from his more abstract and avant-garde work, but appropriate for this work. Picasso has signed the book on the final page, the Colophon page of the book. It is a large hardcover book, with the original patterned covers. Published 85 years ago, this Signed Limited Editions Club book is now exceedingly rare, the rarest of all Limited edition Books, and a key work for any collector of Picasso and his art.

The Limited Editions Club, founded in 1929 by George Macy, printed the volume at their own printing shop in Westport, Connecticut. The book was designed by Macy, who had eagerly anticipated the book's production and praised Picasso's hand as "sure and confident," noting that the beauty of the etchings lay in their simplicity.


CONDITION:
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.

The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectable, dating from the 19th century onwards. The technology and material for printing and binding books have evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books have also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.

The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of ageing. Condition requests can be obtained via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Storyltd shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.