1930 Thaïs by Anatole France - Frank C Papé Illustrated Antique Book

With absolutely wonderful illustrations - here is an antique copy of Thaïs by Anatole France. Published in 1930 by John Lane, The Bodley Head, London. With twelve illustrations of the highest order by Frank C Papé. In very good condition - with just a few points to note, detailed below.

First written by the Nobel Prize-winning French author Anatole France in 1890, the novel is a heavily cynical reimagining of the life of Saint Thaïs of Egypt, a real 4th-century legendary Christian convert. Paphnuce (Paphnutius), a fanatical, self-righteous Christian monk living an ascetic lifestyle in the desert, becomes obsessed with the memory of Thaïs, the most beautiful and celebrated actress and courtesan in Alexandria. Believing he is on a divine mission, he travels to the city to convert her and save her soul from damnation. In typical Anatole France fashion, a dark philosophical reversal takes place. Under his feverish preaching, Thaïs genuinely repents, renounces her wealth, and enters a strict convent where her physical health deteriorates but her soul finds pure peace. Meanwhile, Paphnuce finds himself utterly consumed by carnal lust for her. By "saving" her, he completely loses his own sanity and faith, realising too late that he traded real, earthly love for an empty theological obsession.

Frank Cheyne Papé was an English artist and illustrator whose work included painting using gouache, water colour, and illustration in pen and ink. In this book Papé masterfully plays with the themes of the book. His illustration of Alexandria is opulent, swirling, and filled with decadence, contrasting starkly with the rigid, geometric, and bleakly shadowed depictions of the desert hermits. Papé was famous for hiding subtle humour in his linework. In Thaïs, his characters have incredibly expressive faces—pagan philosophers smirk knowingly, while the fanatical monks are drawn with wild, hollow, obsessive eyes that visually telegraph their impending psychological downfalls.

Inside this copy the pages are clean and bright. Mild spotting to the early pages. No inscriptions or markings of previous ownership. Opens onto wonderful illustrated endpapers, then has twelve of the most fantastic illustrations you'll see for any novel. All present as called for. The top closed edge has a little toning. Has developed just a very slight lean, over time.

Black cloth over boards have gilt decoration to the front and spine. Has a little rubbing/rounding to the cloth on the corners and spine ends. There is a small light-blue paint mark on the lower, back board and again a light-blue smudge mark at the bottom of the spine (see photos).

Your copy of Jurgen will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message if desired.

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H 24.5 cm x W 17.5 cm, 249 pages, 0.77 kg.

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped and sent just in the full packaging simply add a note to the order.

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