DAUDET (Léon). — Shakespeare’s Journey. - Lot 74

DAUDET (Léon). — Shakespeare’s Journey. Illustrations by Gaston Goor. Paris, Éditions du Capitole, 101 rue de Sèvres, 1927. Large 8vo, 414 pp. and 2 ff., paperback, illustrated clotted cover in black and red, untrimmed. A beautiful illustrated edition of Léon Daudet’s historical novel, first published in 1896. The author imagines, during the obscure years of Shakespeare’s youth, a journey by the future playwright through Northern Europe. This edition by Le Capitole is particularly sought after for its extensive illustrations by Gaston Goor, an artist and illustrator closely associated with Parisian literary circles between the two world wars. The illustrations, rendered entirely in black, include a frontispiece, 47 full-page compositions, and 8 vignettes in headers and footers; the large composition frames the title, and a fold-out map shows the supposed itinerary of Shakespeare’s journey in 1584. The print run is limited to 1,662 numbered copies, in addition to a few non-commercial copies: 24 copies on Imperial Japan paper (nos. 1–24), 238 on Rives vellum (nos. 25–262), and 1,400 on Francia alfa vellum (nos. 263–1,662). One of the 1,400 copies on Francia alfa vellum, this one being no. 391. The copy remains paperback in its beautiful original illustrated cover, which is particularly decorative and still in fresh condition. Interior is clean; a few very light, scattered foxing spots. Minor marks and scuffing on the spine, minor imperfections on the head and foot of the cover, nothing serious. A fine copy of this attractive Art Deco edition, notable for its abundant illustrations by Gaston Goor.