BAKST, Léon (1866-1924) – ALEXANDRE, Arsène (1859-1937) and Jean COCTEAU (1889-1963). L'Art decoratif de Bakst. London: The Fine Art Society, 1913

A record of the extraordinary work of Léon Bakst for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, with a manuscript note from Bakst tipped to the flyleaf. The preface is written by Alexandre, who was the art critic for Figaro, and the ballets are described by Cocteau—also one of the artist's friends and collaborators. 77 plates depict the avant-garde sets and costumes created by Bakst.

Folio (400 x 267mm). Title and text printed in red and black. Mounted photographic portrait frontispiece; 77 mounted plates, 50 of which printed in color and 4 of which folding; head- and tail-pieces after Bakst. Original half vellum gilt, with reproduction of Bakst’s signature on front board. Provenance: friendly note from Bakst to “Monsier Montages” and dated 30 July 1915 tipped onto flyleaf – small card in an envelope from Sessler’s bookshop, signed “Billy Wasserman” to “Nonny Gardner” and dated 1933.