NONESUCH PRESS. BECKFORD, William. ~ Vathek.
Ten colour illustrations by Marian Dorn lithographed at the Curwen Press. No.344 of 1050 copies. Printed in Monotype Plantin by the Oxford University Press on pale grey mottled Van Gelder paper. 8vo., original quarter vellum with terracotta paper covered sides, blocked with rules and title in Arabic in gilt on the front cover, spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, others uncut. Edges and spine bit rubbed, spine darkened, otherwise good.
The chromolithographs by Dorn, McKnight Kauffer’s wife, were the first to be printed at the Curwen Press for book illustration.
Vathek combined popular Oriental elements with the Gothic novel. It was composed in French in 1782 and then translated in 1786, claiming to be translated directly from Arabic.
Booklabel of Clarence B. Hanson, Jr.