A PRIMER OF MODERN ART. New York: Boni and Liveright, [1924]. Octavo, pp. [1-2] [i-vi] vii-ix [x] [1-2] 3-383 [384: blank], 175 illustrations, original blue gray cloth, front panel stamped in green, spine panel stamped in green and gold. First edition. Formerly Clark Ashton Smith's copy, with a gift inscription to him on the front endpaper, or rather two separate inscriptions in different ink but same hand ("To Keet / with the love of / Maud & Sheldon" and "To Clark Ashton Smith / with the high regard and good wishes of all of us. / December 17 -- '26"). An early textbook on a movement in art (as well as other aspects of intellectual life) that was then in the vigor -- and controversy -- of its youth. Smith is remembered today as a writer, but sculpture, drawing and painting were important parts of his creative life, making this a valuable associational copy and intriguing in that his writing had such an anti-modernist aesthetic. Was "Keet" a nickname of CAS? Was it originally given to one person and then "re-gifted" to CAS? The identity of Maud & Sheldon is unknown. The provenance of the book is the estate of Genevieve Sully, a close friend of the author who is credited with turning his attention to writing fiction around the time of this inscription. Cloth rubbed, scattered black stains (paint?) on front panel, a good copy with a clean interior. (#136910).
Price: $250.00
No statement of printing.