Thame: I-H-O Books, 2006. First edition. Quarto, 12x9," 96pp. Mounted frontis, color and black and white facsimiles, vignette illustrations, photos. Printed card wrappers, glassine jacket. A fine copy in fragile jacket which shows some wrinkling, edge wear, and a small tear at head of spine.
Lavishly produced book celebrating the 50th anniversary of the death of Austin Osman Spare, presented to a list of roughly 80 individuals and institutions who helped increase awareness of the artist's work.  This is one of a small number of surplus copies with the list of recipients printed in black.  The presentation copies have the name of the recipient rubricated within the list.    

Spare's art, containing strong sexual imagery, was popular among the homosexual and avant-garde communities in London during his time.  Drawn to his occultism, Aleister Crowley was also an early supporter and patron of Spare's.  Appreciation of his work saw a re-emergence in the 1970's with the renewed interest in art nouveau, this book paying tribute to those who helped him regain that favor.  Several of Spare's poems and short works including "Morning Prayer: Adonai," and  "No Man Shall Understand," are printed here.  Also included are full color facsimiles, some reproduced for the first time, of his artwork such as the 10 "Vibratory Portraits."  An invaluable and scarce resource on AOS. Item #5146
ISBN: 1872189547

Price: $250.00