Sculptured Melodies

Mera Ben Kavas Sett, Sculptured Melodies, London: Grant Richards Ltd., 1922

pp.111, bound in oatmeal coloured paper over board, with some gilt decoration
11.8 x 9.2 x 0.8 in (29.5 x 23 x 2 cm)

This edition was limited to five hundred copies, of which one hundred were numbered and signed by the author. This is an unsigned and unnumbered copy.

A beautifully illustrated, edition of Sett's book of stories based on the musical works of famous composers. The book consists of stories meant to illustrate eleven musical works (five by Chopin and one each by Beethoven, Dvorak, Gounod, Rubinstein, Schumann, and Tchaikovsky). It comprises the chapters: Romance - Rubenstein; Valse Triste - Chopin; Fantaisie Impromptu - Chopin; Funeral March - Chopin; Dumky Trio - Dvorak; Reverie - Schumann; Prelude, Op. 7 - Chopin; Chanson Triste - Tschaikowsky; Menuet - Beethoven; Ballade, Op. 3 - Chopin; and Ave Maria - Gounod.

Illustrated throughout by the author, with a frontis and tissue guard, and eleven plates. Collated complete.

Mera Ben Kavas Sett was usually an illustrator but authored Sculptured Melodies. He had a great reputation as an artist in Europe. The art-loving public held him in high esteem.

Rupert Brook, the famous poet, once wrote a two-column critique of Mr. Sett's art. His last para was "If Mr. Sett has not been universally acclaimed as the greatest draughtsman and decorator living, the fault lies with his own exclusive and publicity shunning nature. His Omar will have the pride of place in my library".

Art journals of France, Germany, England and America praised his book's as outstanding. In many schools of art it was used as model by the students.