Thais

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1931. Limited edition, number 220 of 250 copies, of Newman Levy’s ribald review in verse of Jules Massenet’s opera Thaïs. Based on Anatole France’s novel of the same name, the opera follows an Egyptian monk’s regrettably successful quest to convert the courtesan Thaïs to Christianity. Newman’s poem first appeared in his comic anthology, Opera Guyed, and was immediately reprinted in the New York World: “Said he to Thais, ‘Pardon me. Although this job is hard on me, / I've got to put you wise to what I came down here to tell / What's all this sousin’ getting’ you? Cut out this pie-eyed retinue; / Let’s hit the trail together, kid, and save yourself from hell.’” The kohl-eyed, voluptuous Thais is given comically exaggerated treatment in these early illustrations by Abner Dean, known for his work for The New Yorker, Life, and Esquire. Signing under his pseudonym Abner J. Epstein, Dean inscribed this copy for “Jerry and Dot” in the year of publication. Printed by Ichabod Crane at The Vermont Printing Company on Mabuki, a Japanese Kisogawa paper. A fine inscribed copy in a dazzling Art Deco publisher’s binding. Single volume, measuring 11 x 7.25: [16]. Original black cloth spine, color patterned boards covered in morocco-grained and metallic paper, silver title label to upper board; deckle edges. Title page vignette and four illustrations printed in pink. Inscribed and signed by illustrator in the year of publication. Lightest edgewear. (Inventory #: 1003828)