The Mask; Volume One, Number One - Volume Fifteen, Number Four
Florence: Arena Goldoni, March 1908 - November/December 1929. The complete run of eighty-seven numbers, bound in sixteen volumes (including the separately bound set of 1911-1915 covers) with all original wrappers preserved. The first three volumes (1908-1911) are 4tos, the rest 8vos. Vols. 1-8 and volume of covers bound in publisher's binding of vellum-backed boards; vols. 9-15 in publisher's linen-backed boards with printed labels. Lower corner of first volume a bit worn; some toning and a touch of chipping to labels on the linen-backed volumes, especially Vol. 13 (1927); generally an excellent set with all contents bright and fresh and including all illustrations, folding plates and original advertisements. Item #207623
A spectacular set of Craig's long-running self-produced periodical, a major landmark in the history of modern theatre. Most of the content -- text, image, and design -- was generated by Craig himself under his own name as well as some sixty-odd pseudonyms. The importance of The Mask in the development of the theater in the twentieth century is hard to overstate. Visionary, multi-disciplinary, and international in scope it was Craig's principal organ for advancing a radical new approach to theatrical production that brought it out of staid forms of the nineteenth century and placed the director as the central figure in modern stagecraft. The Mask was further marked by Craig's strong sense of visual design, typography, and book-production. Complete runs are exceptionally scarce, especially in such excellent condition.
Price: $7,500.00