Aubrey Beardsley Part 12

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 ill.u.s.trate:----

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 ta.s.selled 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 const.i.tute 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 pa.s.sed into the collection of Herr Wardofer 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