Ulysses, Limited Edition Club, Signed by Henri Matisse, 1482 of 1500

Ulysses by James Joyce and Henri Matisse

26 Full-Page Illustrations by Henri Matisse

Limited Edition Club, 1935, 1482 of 1500

Signed by Henri Matisse

Includes Original Slipcase and Custom Made Clamshell Box

This is a signed limited edition of "Ulysses” published by the Limited Edition Club in 1935 with a limitation of 1500 copies this being number 1482. Considered by many to be one of the most desirable illustrated books of the 20^th century, this work combines the work of two of the greatest talents of the modern era. From the Henri Matisse website, “The illustration of James Joyce's Ulysses by Matisse may be one of the most suggestive collaborations in 20th-century literature. “It was a great idea to bring them together; celebrities of the same generation, of similar virtuosity”." The 26 beautiful full-page illustrations by Matisse accompany the text of Joyce’s Ulysses, including six soft-ground etchings with reproductions of the sketches on blue and yellow paper. There have been surprisingly few attempts to illustrate "Ulysses" and, even where they do exist, they do not appear to have elicited much critical approval. The most notable illustrators have been Matisse, Saul Field and Richard Hamilton. “According to George Macy, who undertook this only American publication of Matisse’s illustrations, he asked the artist how many etchings the latter could provide for $5,000. The artist chose to take six subjects from Homer’s Odyssey. The preparatory drawings reproduced with the soft-ground etchings (Matisse’s only use of this medium) record the evolution of the figures from vigorous sketches to closely knit compositions.” Ulysses is one of the very few American livres de peintres issued before World War II. The prints were very well printed and are frequently included in books on Matisse and exhibitions of Matisse's works.”

The book is in Near FINE+ condition with the most minimal of shelf wear. The internals are in Near FINE+ condition and contains the bookplate of Dorothy Monet, famed illustrator, on the inside front cover. The slipcase is in Good+ condition and has been professionally restored by Don Rash of the Briar Press. The slipcase shows some paper loss, surface wear and soiling. Don Rash also created the custom made clamshell box to house the book and slipcase. The book has been signed by Henri Matisse on the limitation page. Overall, this is a superior copy of one of the most sought after illustrated books ever produced.

Photographs of the book, slipcase, custom made clamshell box, signature and limitation page, the bookplate of Dorothy Monet, and the Matisse artwork from the book appear below. Please note that although the images appear digitized as thumbnails, you can view the images in the photo viewer by clicking on the thumbnail.