The Mask. 1911-1915 Covers. Ed. by Edward Gordon Craig. [1911-1915]

The Mask. 1911-1915 Covers. A Quarterly Journal of the Art of the Theatre. Edited by Edward Gordon Craig. Florence, Italy: Arena Goldoni, [1911 - 1915.]

Single volume, large 8vo. Bound in its original ¾ vellum over heavy plain paper boards especially for the top tier of subscribers; 4 raised bands, lettering on spine in black ink. 

Comprising of a series of various covers from this important periodical. Printed on off-white heavy stock paper. [Beginning with]: Volume Four, Number Two, October 1911; Number Three, January, 1912; Number Four, April, 1912. Volume Five, Number One, July 1912; Number Two, October, 1912; Number Three, January, 1913; Number Four, April, 1913. [Follows is printed on signature deep orange colored heavy stock paper]: Volume Six, Number One, July, 1913; Number Two, 1913; Number Three, January, 1914; Number Four, April, 1914; Volume Seven, Number One, July, 1914; [ending with] Number Two, May, 1915. Profusely illustrated with extraordinary woodcuts, notably the “Lion/Griffin” by Edward Gordon Craig for the front covers, several bookseller ads; listing of contents & lists of illustrations. Some minor rubbing to covers, else generally in Very Good condition; in part because of the beautiful paper on which it was printed and because for decades the volume has been stored and kept with great care.

Affixed to the inside of the front pastedown is a bookseller’s label, 1 inch in diameter, orange & blue color illustration of a crab - “The Sunwise Turn.” This was the midtown bookshop and gallery located on 51 E. 41st St., NYC. It was founded by Madge Jenison and Mary Mowbray-Clarke in 1916, known for being one of the first woman-owned American bookstores; it was a hot-bed of culture and artistic thought (Peggy Guggenheim volunteered as an intern there.) 

Provenance: This volume was originally in the library of Charles Carroll Colby Aikins, a true visionary who with great focus and consciousness founded the Home Theatre in Naramata on Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada. 

The Mask remains the most important and influential drama publication of the Pre-War era; often consulted, quoted and emulated. Not in Fletcher & Rood                                                                    Unique, Unusual, Rare.