Rare 1979 Isadora Duncan Limited First Edition by Franco Maria Ricci – No. 86/3000

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Rare 1979 Isadora Duncan Limited First Edition by Franco Maria Ricci – No. 86/3000

Elevate your collection with this museum-quality, … Read more Rare 1979 Isadora Duncan Limited First Edition by Franco Maria Ricci – No. 86/3000

Elevate your collection with this museum-quality, numbered first English edition of Isadora Duncan, published in 1979 by the "Dandy of Design," Franco Maria Ricci (FMR). Widely considered one of the most beautiful books ever produced, this volume is a sensory experience. It is bound in rich black Oriental silk with exquisite gold gilt lettering and housed in its original, protective solander box.

This specific copy is a highly coveted low-number edition (86/3000), making it a premier investment for serious collectors. The interior features the hallmark FMR aesthetic: rare, blue-tinted handmade Fabriano paper and approximately 64 high-fidelity, tipped-in color plates. These plates showcase the iconic Art Deco sculptures of Chiparus, Preiss, and Colinet—works that captured the kinetic, revolutionary spirit of Isadora Duncan herself.

About the Publisher: Franco Maria Ricci (FMR)
Franco Maria Ricci was an Italian aristocrat, graphic designer, and publisher who revolutionized the concept of the "art book." His publications are famous for their Bodoni typography, stark black silk bindings, and handmade papers. FMR editions were designed to be the "jewelry of the library," often favored by icons like Jorge Luis Borges and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Owning an FMR book is a statement of refined, European sensibility and an appreciation for the "Slow Art" movement of the late 20th century.

Historical Significance: The Dance of Art Deco
This volume serves as a critical historical bridge between the Jazz Age and late 20th-century book arts. Isadora Duncan was the muse of the Art Deco movement; her fluid, neoclassical movements inspired the "chryselephantine" (gold and ivory) sculptures of Demetre Chiparus and Ferdinand Preiss. By bringing together the text of Alberto Savinio and the visual study of Umberto Di Cristina, this book documents how one woman's performance art transformed the decorative arts of an entire era.

Specifications and Dimensions
Publisher: Franco Maria Ricci (FMR), Milan/New York
Year Published: 1979
Edition: Limited First English Edition, No. 86 of 3000
Binding: Black Silk with Gold Gilt
Paper Type: Handmade Blue-Tinted Fabriano
Illustrations: 64 Tipped-in Color Plates
Book Dimensions: 14" H x 9.25" W
Solander Box Dimensions: 14.25" H x 10" W x 1.5" D

Condition Report
This volume is in excellent antique condition. The silk binding is remarkably clean, retaining its deep black luster and sharp gold gilding. The interior pages and tipped-in plates are pristine, with no foxing, toning, or moisture damage noted. The original solander box is fully robust and functional, showing only minor, age-appropriate shelf wear and light scuffing to the edges, which is expected for a high-gloss FMR case.

The "Low Number" Advantage
In the world of limited editions, the serial number carries significant weight. Copy No. 86 is within the first 100 copies produced, which usually indicates the sharpest plate impressions and the closest oversight by the publisher. For the investor-grade collector, a double-digit number provides a higher ceiling for future resale value compared to numbers in the late thousands.

Designer Notes
For a 2026 interior, this book is the ultimate "Statement Small." Because of its oversized 14-inch height and luxurious silk texture, it anchors a Grandmillennial or Modern Regency cocktail table perfectly. Consider styling it as a standalone piece on a dark wood library stand or placing it atop a stack of neutral-toned design books to let the gold Bodoni lettering pop. Its "Quiet Luxury" aesthetic makes it a perfect gift for a lover of the performing arts or an interior designer looking to add "Tactile Soul" to a high-end study.

This Franco Maria Ricci Isadora Duncan edition is a rare intersection of dance history, sculpture, and elite Italian bookmaking. With its low edition number and impeccable preservation, it offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of 20th-century publishing history. Whether as the centerpiece of a curated library or a focal point of home decor, this book brings an air of sophisticated history and artisanal excellence to any collection. See less