Cover design for. Reproduced in "Second Book," again in "Later Work."
161. LA DAME AUX CAMELIAS. Sketch in water colour to right. On the fly-leaf
of a copy of the book given to the artist by M. Alexandre Dumas, fils.
First published in "Second Book," again in "Later Work." 1897.
162. BOOK-PLATE FOR MISS OLIVE CUSTANCE (Lady Alfred Douglas). Reproduced
in photogravure in "Early Work."
163. ARBUSCULA. Drawing in line and wash, for the _edition de luxe_ of
Vuillier's "History of Dancing." William Heinemann, 1897. Reproduced
in photogravure; also an early impression of the same printed in a
green tint. (Property of John Lane, Esq.)
164. MADEMOISELLE DE MAUPIN, by Theophile Gautier. Leonard Smithers, 1898.
Designs to illustrate:----
I. Mademoiselle de Maupin, frontispiece, water colour. Reproduced in
facsimile by Messrs Boussod, Valadon & Co., for limited edition,
and, like the rest, in photogravure for ordinary edition.
Reproduced as frontispiece to "Later Work."
II. D'Albert (small design).
III. D'Albert in search of Ideals. (Property of Mrs George Bealby
Wright.)
IV. The Lady at the Dressing Table. (Property of Walter Pollett, Esq.)
V. The Lady with the Rose.
VI. The Lady with the Monkey. All the above reproduced in photogravure
in "Later Work."
165. BEN JONSON HIS VOLPONE: OR THE FOXE. 4to. Leonard Smithers, 1898.
I. Design in gold on blue for the cloth cover. Same in black-and-white
for opening page. Frontispiece, design in pen-and-ink.
II. Vignette to the Argument. Initial letter V, with column and
tasselled attachments to the capital. This and the remaining
designs were executed in pen and crayon.
III. Vignette to Act I. Initial letter V, with an elephant, having a
basket of fruits on his back. (Property of Herbert J. Pollit, Esq.)
IV. Vignette to Act II. Initial letter S, with a monster bird, having
a pearl chain attached to its head. (Property of Herbert J.
Pollit, Esq.)
V. Vignette to Act III. Initial letter M, with seated Venus and Cupid
under a canopy, between two fantastic gynaecomorphic columns.
(Property of Herbert J. Pollit, Esq.)
Vignette to Act IV. (The same as the design for Act II. repeated.)
VI. Vignette to Act V. Initial letter V, with a horned terminal figure
of a man or satyr. (Property of Herbert J. Pollit, Esq.)
All these Volpone designs were reproduced in "Later Work." Drawn at
the close of 1897 and early part of 1898, they constitute the latest
designs produced by Aubrey Beardsley before his death.
In his published List, Mr A. E. Gallatin mentions several sketches
and other drawings in private letters which, for lack of detailed
information, I have not included in my List. Many of Aubrey
Beardsley's drawings are constantly changing hands. In each case
the name of the last known owner is given. Where no owner's name
appears, no information has been obtainable. Some of the finest
drawings, I am informed upon good authority, have now passed into
the collection of Herr Waerdofer of Vienna.
I desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to the artist's mother and
sister, to Mr G. R. Halkett, Mr H. C. Marillier, Mr H. A. Payne,
and Mr Pickford Waller. To Mr Frederick H. Evans, who kindly placed
his collection at my disposal, I am under special obligations.
AYMER VALLANCE