The Story of Venus and Tannhauser: A Romantic Novel.

BEARDSLEY, Aubrey.

Item Number: 145568

New York: Two Worlds Publishing, c. 1926.

Finely bound example of this controversial 19th century erotic adventure sectioned from ‘Casanova Jr.’s Tales: A Quarterly Book for Subscribers.’ Octavo, bound in three quarter crushed morocco over marbled boards with gilt decoration to the front panel, tooling stamped in blind to the front and rear panels, pages numbered 67 through 100. In near fine condition with very light toning. Uniquely, the author’s name is misspelled at the end of the text as “Aubrey.”

Aubrey Beardsley was a talented and influential English illustrator and author, known for his distinctive and often controversial black and white illustrations. He was born in 1872 and rose to prominence during the late Victorian era. Beardsley's art style was characterized by its intricate linear designs, often with a decadent and erotic undertone, often exploring themes of sexuality and the grotesque, challenging Victorian norms and pushing the boundaries of acceptability in art and society.