Item #CNBR153 The Temptation of Saint Anthony. Gustave Flaubert, Lafcadio Hearn, Francis Carmody.
The Temptation of Saint Anthony
The Temptation of Saint Anthony
The Temptation of Saint Anthony
The Temptation of Saint Anthony

The Temptation of Saint Anthony

(Kentfield, California): The Allen Press, 1974. Limited Edition. Hardcover. One of 140 copies, folio size, 90 pp., with prospectus. Fine / near fine. Item #CNBR153

Although Gustave Flaubert’s (1821-1880) best known work may be "Madame Bovary", he had a deep interest in "The Temptation of Saint Anthony", spending thirty years in research and working countless revisions. It is said that he became intrigued with the subject by a stained-glass window in the Rouen cathedral, which depicts the Saint as a hermit. Anthony (ca. 251-350), born in upper Egypt, experienced, says tradition, every temptation the devil could devise, including the sensuous charms of the Queen of Sheba (fortunately he "was an unusually rugged character and was able to dismiss all of the enticing seductions") (n. b., above info from prospectus).

This text from the translation by (Patrick) Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), a noted author and translator who himself had in his family background blood both Greek and Arab, Irish and Gypsy. Embellished with twenty-four hand-coloured decorative woodcuts from early nineteenth-century sources which were used by Flaubert, and with a full-page wood engraving by noted French artist Odilon Redon (1840-1916) who was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1903. A lovely convergence of writing and art.

___DESCRIPTION: Full green-blue and gold Fortuny fabric with a fifteenth century Persian motif which was hand-blocked in Venice, cream label with green-blue lettering on the spine, title page in red and black, running title in red, light blue highlights printed throughout the text; hand-set in Menhart Unciala and Solemnis for the display text, printed on ‘Michelangelo’ mould-made rag paper from France and printed damp on a Columbian handpress manufactured in 1848; folio size (13.5" by 9.75"), pagination: [4 blank], 83, [3 blank], limited edition of 140 copies, unnumbered. Prospectus loosely laid in, a single sheet folded thrice for mailing, printed in orange and black; with the original clear acetate jacket.

___CONDITION: Fine, with clean binding free of wear, the corners straight and unrubbed, a strong text block with solid hinges, all pages are bright and clean, and free of prior owner markings; some light toning to the endpapers at the hinges from the glue used in binding, which seems the norm for this publication. Prospectus fine with only original folds; acetate jacket near fine, clean and free of tears, with some unintended folds at the corners and a small chip at the tail of the spine.

___CITATION: Allen Press Bibliography no. 40.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.

Price: $400.00