Daphnis and Chloe (1937, signed by Aristide Maillol)

Author: Longus, illustrated by Aristide Maillol

Signed: This copy has been signed by Aristide Maillol to the limitation page. Additionally, this copy belonged to Belgian artist and writer E L T Mesens, and given to him by Anton Zwemmer with a warm personal inscription to the ffep, "Pour mon vieux copain Edward Mesens en toute sympathie, A Zwemmer, May 28, 1946". In 1937, Zwemmer and Roland Penrose bought the London Gallery, and Mesens was appointed the gallery's director. Under Mesens' directorship and with Zwemmer's financial backing, it became the centrepoint for Surrealism in England with exhibitions of Joan Miro and Picasso, both in the gallery and in Zwemmer's shop.

Publisher: A Zwemmer, London, 1937

Printing Details: First thus, limited edition (this being no 54 of 250), full vellum with simple gilt titling to spine, laced-in ties to joints. Printed on hand-made paper "manufactured by an old process rediscovered by Aristide Maillol". Simple stiff card slipcase. 20.5 13.5cm, vi + 211p [1, collophon].

About the Book: A Greek pastoral poem ascribed to Sophist Longus (4th or 5th century AD) which tells the story of the tender love of Daphnis and Chloe, the children of a goatherd and a shepherd. This being the George Thornley translation of 1657.This copy with 52 illustrations by Maillol, title page vignette, fifty within the text and one to the collophon, printed by Philippe Gonin of Paris.

Condition: There is surface fading to the upper board's vellum, but otherwise this copy remains in very good solid condition. The pages are clean and the inner binding is secure. The slipcase has slightly dusty edges but is in solid shape.