Number One of The Savoy with Framed Christmas Card

Aubrey Beardsley; Arthur Symons, ed. THE SAVOY: AN ILLUSTRATED QUARTERLY. No. 1 (of 8) only. London: Leonard Smithers, January 1896. In original illustrated pink paper-covered boards. 170, [2], ivpp. with ads. With loosely-inserted Beardsley Christmas card, as issued. Cover, title page, contents page, Christmas card, and numerous illustrations all by Beardsley.

This lot contains an additional Beardsley Christmas card, likely original; presented framed and behind glass.

Periodical 10 3/8 x 7 7/8 in.; framed print DOA 14 1/4 x 10 5/8 in.

Private Collection, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Aubrey Beardsley and Arthur Symons worked together to create this illustrated literary magazine in direct competition with The Yellow Book which Beardsley helped found in 1894 but was forced to abruptly leave in 1895 after Oscar Wilde's arrest. Beardsley was responsible for the cover and title-page design for all issues of The Savoy, as well as numerous illustrations. Sadly, despite contributions from well-known writers such as W. B. Yeats, the periodical lasted only one year.

Boards with toning (occasionally uneven), edge wear, bumped corners, and areas of grime on back cover, with paper chipping at spine as is common; interior with mostly mild toning, occasional offsetting, and light foxing concentrated on endpapers and half title; loosely-inserted Christmas card toned with small hole at upper margin, small stains, light grime and creasing, and several small tears and corner folds at margins with one tear slightly impacting image. Framed Christmas card fine; frame with chipping and light scuffing; not examined outside of frame.