MATISSE, Henri, (1869-1954) – JOYCE, James (1882-1941). Ulysses. With an introduction by Stuart Gilbert. New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1935.

Limited edition, this copy signed by both Matisse and Joyce, number 826 from a total edition of 1500 copies. “One of the very few American livres de peintres issued before World War II. According to George Macy, who undertook this only American publication of Matisse's illustrations, he asked the artist how many etchings the latter could provide for five thousand dollars. The artist chose to take six subjects from Homer's Odyssey” (Castleman). When asked why he decided to illustrate the Calypso, Aelous, Cyclops, Nausicaa, Circe and Ithaca episodes of the classic poem rather than events from Joyce’s novel, Matisse replied that it was because he had not read Joyce's Ulysses. Understandably, when he heard that, Joyce declined to autograph any further copies and most are missing his signature. C. Duthuit, Henri Matisse, Catalogue raisonné des ouvrages illustrés, no. 6; The American Livre de Peintre, 32; The Artist and the Book, 197. See Riva Castleman, A Century of Artists' Books, pp. 35, 61.

Quarto (304 x 235mm). 6 etchings and 20 reproductions of preliminary drawings by Matisse. Original brown cloth, gilt-decorated on front cover and spine; original slipcase (slipcase corners showing, lower edge panel started to split).