The Paintings of D.H. Lawrence.

presentation copy - inscribed by the publishers

Presentation copy, inscribed by the founders of the Mandrake Press in black ink to the front flyleaf: 'To Miss Dorothy Young with the compliments of the Mandrake Press P. R. Stephensen Edward Goldston Aug. 1929'.

The book stands as a record of the ill-fated London exhibition of these works which was, of course, raided by the police and closed down under the obscenity laws. Rather optimistically, the prospectus loosely inserted states 'as it is expected that the edition will be heavily over-subscribed, subscriptions should be entered immediately', while, in actuality, the work was so expensive to produce that it contributed to the press's financial problems, leading to the eventual dissolution of the company in 1930.

First edition, sole printing, privately printed for subscriber's only, one of 500 copies on Arches mouldmade paper, from a total edition of 510, this copy hors commerce, inscribed by the publishers; folio; 26 colour plates, each with preceding caption leaf, light spotting and soiling early and late, light finger-soiling throughout, 4pp colour illustrated prospectus loosely inserted; contemporary maroon half morocco over red cloth boards, gilt-ruled, gilt lettering to spine, top edge gilt, extremities rubbed, wear to foot of spine, joints starting, top edge of covers slightly sunned, but generally very good.