A rare gem that celebrates the partnership of James Joyce and Henri Matisse in 1935 - one of the most arresting and intriguing collaborations in 20th Century literature. “It was a great idea to bring them together, celebrities of the same generation, of similar virtuosity” (Wheeler 15) The 26 beautiful full age illustrations by Matisse accompany the text of Joyce’s Ulysses including 6 soft ground etchings “One of the very few livres de peintres issued before World War II”. According to George Macy (this work’s designer) who undertook this American publication of Matisse’s illustrations, he asked the artist how many etchings the latter could provide for $5,000. The artist chose to take six subjects from Homer’s Odyssey. The preparatory drawings reproduced with the soft ground etchings (Matisse’s only use of this medium) record the evolution of the figures from vigorous sketches to closely knit compositions. Only 250 copies were produced signed by both the author and the illustrator. A glorious, leather bound tome with 22 carat gold accents, gilt edges, moiré fabric endsheets and a satin page marker. From a design by Leroy H Appleton. The Matisse drawings inside it are, of course, the most priceless of its offerings.