Rare Signed 1938 Oscar Wilde Salome LTD Ed Club 2 Volume Set, André Derain Aubrey Beardsley Illustrated, Fine Press Rare Books Numbered 1284/1500

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Rare Signed 1938 Oscar Wilde Salome Limited Editions Club 2 Volume Set, André Derain Aubrey Beardsley Illustrated, Fine Press Rare … Read more Rare Signed 1938 Oscar Wilde Salome Limited Editions Club 2 Volume Set, André Derain Aubrey Beardsley Illustrated, Fine Press Rare Books - Numbered 1284/1500

Experience a cornerstone of 20th century fine press publishing with this rare two volume set of Oscar Wilde’s Salome, produced by the prestigious Limited Editions Club in 1938. This specific set is numbered 1284 of a limited run of 1500 copies and features the highly coveted original signature of the legendary Fauvist master André Derain. This edition is unique in its conceptual design, offering one volume featuring the play as Wilde originally wrote it in French, while the second presents the famous English translation. Each volume is illustrated by a master artist of the era, creating a monumental intersection of Modernist art, Victorian scandal, and the pinnacle of 20th century bookmaking.

The Two Volumes and Artistic Legacy
The first volume is a softbound masterpiece featuring the original French Salomé text. It contains ten stunning gouache drawings by André Derain, reproduced using the labor intensive pochoir process. This hand stenciled color method gives the illustrations a vibrant, tactile quality nearly indistinguishable from original paintings. André Derain, a co-founder of Fauvism alongside Henri Matisse, used this commission to showcase a shift toward a more expressive, primitive style. This volume is hand signed by Derain on the colophon page.

The second volume features the English translation by Lord Alfred Douglas and is hardbound in vibrant terracotta cloth. It is illustrated with the iconic and subversive black and white drawings of Aubrey Beardsley. Beardsley was the enfant terrible of the Art Nouveau movement, and his ink drawings for Salome are considered some of the most influential book illustrations in history, defining the Decadent movement of the 1890s.

Historical Significance of Pochoir Process
The Derain volume utilizes the rare pochoir technique, a traditional French method of hand coloring through intricate stencils. Unlike modern offset printing, pochoir creates actual layers of pigment that have a raised feel and intense color saturation. This process is effectively a lost art in the modern era due to its extreme cost and the level of hand craftsmanship required. This 1938 edition serves as a preserved artifact of this painstaking artisan tradition.

Specifications and Documentation
Publisher: The Limited Editions Club of Paris and London.
Publication Year: 1938.
Medium: Pochoir Illustrations and Ink Drawings.
Binding: Softbound French Volume and Hardbound English Volume.
Authentication: Numbered 1284 of 1500 and Signed by André Derain.
Inclusions: Original Slipcase and the July 1938 Monthly Letter Number 110.

Condition Report
This set is in Very Good Vintage Condition and has been remarkably well preserved over the last 85 years. The softbound French volume shows minor age related wrinkling and the protective acetate jacket has some tearing as shown in the photos. The hardbound English volume shows minor and attractive fading to the spine which is typical for this edition. The interior pages are crisp and clean throughout with only tiny unobtrusive penciled marks on the front flyleaves. The original slipcase is present and structurally sound, though it shows vintage wear and slight tearing along the seams and corners which provides an authentic patina of history.

Designer Notes and Styling
For the sophisticated collector, these volumes serve as both a literary treasure and a sculptural decor element. The deep burgundy slipcase paired with the gold leaf terracotta cover of the Beardsley volume offers a rich, scholarly aesthetic perfect for a curated Dark Academia library or a mahogany executive desk. The spine of the English volume features elegant gold stamped lettering that catches directional light beautifully on a bookshelf. The inclusion of the original 1938 Limited Editions Club Monthly Letter adds a layer of museum quality provenance that increases the long term investment value of the set.

Styling and Compatibility
This authentic Limited Editions Club set beautifully complements traditional libraries, modern art collections, and luxury office decor. It is an ideal milestone gift for bibliophiles, art historians, or collectors of rare 20th century literature. This piece offers a sophisticated narrative of abundance and history, bringing the avant garde spirit of Paris and London into your space. Part of a curated collection of fine press and rare artifacts from Cherished Memories.

Salome represents the height of collaborative book arts, offering the architectural power of a museum masterwork in a handheld format. Whether anchoring a prestigious rare book collection or serving as a conversation piece in a private study, this signed set brings a legacy of beauty and intellectual history into your home. Secure this investment in fine literature today and let it become one of your own Cherished Memories. See less