[Oakley, Violet, Magnum Opus, Limited, Signed] The Holy Experiment

Philadelphia: Privately Printed by Violet Oakley, 1922. First edition. First edition. Elephant Folio measuring 15 5/8 inches wide, 23 inches long. 51 pp + [7] and 22 superb full color tipped in plates, some folding to enormous size. Original full brown leather embossed with geometric and floral stamped designs in dark brown, pictorial bold gilt stamped circular motifs and lettering on front cover, two brass clasps. Inside endsheets both brilliant gold shiny paper. Two large closing brackets on outward edges. In original faux-wood paper box. Limited to 500 Numbered and Signed Copies by Violet Oakley, of which this is No. 173. This monumental production (truncated) was personally overseen and published by Oakley over more than a decade of preparation and production and comprises seven separate folders or fascicles, each of which printed on special Italian handmade paper and printed in red and blue and black from manuscript calligraphy by Oakley. Two of the fascicles contain huge (some folding out) color plates printed magnificently in bright colors illustrating murals and designs from her work at the Pennsylvania State Capital in Harrisburg. 22 superb full color plates, with highlighting in gold and other colors, one folding out to 26 inches! A brilliant copy with pristine contents. Scuffing and wear to upper and lower spine, some minor scuffs to covers, minor fraying at bottom of spine, corners scuffed. Occasional light browning to only a few pages, near fine internally.. A wonderful and scarce illustrated book by this master of American mural art. (Inventory #: 4202)