The Metamorphosis of Aiax a New Discourse of a Stale Subject By Sir John Harington with an Anatomie of the Metamorpho-sed Aiax.
London: The Fanfrolico Press, (1927). First Edition Thus - Limited. Hardcover, Large Octavo. xxxii+144pp., Frontispiece, woodcut illustrations, decorations, & initials reproduced from early editions, appendices. Grey papered boards, lettered and decorated in red. First edition thus; limited to 450 numbered copies on heavy English hand-made paper. "The Metamorphosis of Ajax" (first published in 1596), was written by Sir John Harington (1561 – 1612) a prominent member of Queen Elizabeth I's court, and inventor of the flush toilet. The book was ostensibly a hommage to his new invention, but in reality it was a thinly veiled political allegory attacking 'the "stercus" or excrement that was poisoning society with torture and state-sponsored "libels" against his relatives,' and its publication caused Harington to be banished from Court. The work was resurrected and reprinted thus by that enfant terribles of 1920s British private press publishing, Jack Lindsay, and the outrageous and flamboyant Peter Warlock (alter ego of composer Philip Heseltine) both of whom were acquainted with another great British eccentric, Aleister Crowley. Spine darkened, corners bumped and rubbed through at points. Boards have modest soiling and discoloration (all common flaws commonly seen in this volume). Short (half-inch tear) in top hinge. Internally clean and fresh - still about VG condition and seldom seen better due to the relatively fragile nature of the soft-paper boards. Item #45770
Price: $85.00