CHARLES BAUDELAIRE (FRANCE, 1821-1867) 'FLOWERS OF EVIL,' (FLEURS DU MAL) 1947, CLOTHBOUND, with EMBOSSED GREEN & BLACK HARD COVER, PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED, with PRINTS from 15 ORIGINAL INK DRAWINGS, EDITION #90 of 1,499 COPIES MADE, PUBLISHED by THE SYLVAN PRESS, NEW YORK 

'In Pattern & Prose'

Erotic Illustrations by: BERESFORD EGAN and C. BOWER ALCOCK

Privately Printed in a Limited Edition for

~ B A U D E L A I R E ~

THE SYLVAN PRESS, NEW YORK, 1947 Edition

Dedicated to the memory of the members of the Academie Francaise, Anno Domini 1861 

(Dated 1947)

Mid-20th century American vintage limited edition large folio, illustrated books dedicated to French literature, poetry & fine art

DIMENSIONS: 

10 3⁄4" Height x 8 1⁄2" Width  

Weight: 2 lbs. 6 oz.

DESCRIPTION:

This very scarce and very hard to find 1947 limited edition volume 'The Flowers of Evil' (Fleurs du Mal) by the notorious and revolutionary early to mid-19th century French poet and writer, the indomitable Charles Baudelaire (France, 1821-1867)  and published by The Sylvan Press New York, remains in exceptionally well-preserved condition. This very handsome large folio, coffee table, illustrated book is a limited edition volume, hand-numbered #90 out of a run of 1,499 printed copies, with 10 unnumbered copies. It has an embossed black and deep olive green cover, abstractly reminding one of the inside of a blossoming flower, with high case typography appearing in circular fashion. The book is hardbound and embossed, giving the cover a leather-like quality. The cover and interior pages are without any damage. This fine art/coffee table, limited edition volume has attractive stylized typography, seeming to fit the mid-19th century Gothic literary atmosphere created by the infamous and renowned early French Modernist poet and writer Charles Baudelaire, who once translated the controversial American poet and writer Edgar Allen Poe's works into the French language. There are 15 wonderful black and white full page print illustrated plates of original ink drawings by Beresford Egan and C. Bower Alcock. The figurative illustrations are erotic and adventurous, much like the original poems by the revolutionary artist Charles Baudelaire, which were banned in France for years. Very scarce and exceptionally well preserved. Absolutely outstanding. Very fine.

INSCRIPTIONS, HAND-NUMBERING, PREVIOUS VENDOR:  

This large paper edition, designed by Lewis F. White, is limited to 1499 numbered copies for the United States and the same number for the British Empire. Ten unnumbered copies have been struck off for reviewers. Pencil signed number 90, with small sticker label at the bottom last page from: Travers Bookstore, Trenton, New Jersey

CONDITION:

Very Good to Excellent overall vintage condition.

≪≒≓≫❖≪≒≓≫❖≪≒≓≫❖≪≒≓≫≪≒≓≫❖≪≒≓≫