Picasso: Master of the Phantom.
London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1939. First edition. Hardcover. [x], 52pp, illustrated with a photograph of Picasso by Dora Maar as the frontis, and XI monochrome photographs of works by Picasso from the collection of Hugh Willoughby. An idiosyncratic and very personal statement, at a time when Picasso was little known in England, and which, according to Wikipedia, made Melville's reputation as a critic. He later said that 'Without my knowledge my wife sent my little book to Oxford University Press. Curiously enough they accepted it'. The prelims and final page are foxed, and there is generally faint spotting to the margins of some pages of the text. Endpapers clean, with an ownership name to the front endpaper. c.19x12.5cms, in slate-grey paper-covered boards, titled in white: rebacked, with the original spine laid down: trim, with good corners. A good copy of an uncommon title. Good. Item #19391050
Price: £100.00