THE UNKNOWN MATISSE: A LIFE OF HENRI MATISSE,VOLUME ONE 1869-1908.]

UK,thick,heavy,8vo HB+dw/dj,illustrated,1st edn,2nd imp. [Complete number line 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2.] FINE/VG. No owner inscrptn,but price-clip to dw/dj with top corner of front inner flap of dw/dj also diagonally cut. Bright,clean,matt wrap-around royal blue background with Matisse's colour self-portrait with gilt border to front of dw/dj,with author's capitalised, white-lettered name,capitalised,white-lettered title [with Matisse's name only,in capitalised gilt letters]; spine/backstrip with similarly coloured+lettered author name+title as the front's,rear panel with 3 critics' white+gold coloured lettered reviews. Some shelf-wear to edges and corners,foot of spine with sellotape strengthening internally+externally, head of same minimally bumped/creased,minimal creasing to all corner tips with rear lower corner tip with miniscule paper loss - but no other major nicks,tears or splits present.Top edges with miniscule,faint marks,esle bright,crisp and clean as are the fore-edges,no foxing/spotting; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound - virtually pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to corners - appears unread other than my own collation.Publisher's bright,crisp,unblemished,sharp-cornered,original navy blue cloth boards with capitalised,bright,crisp,blocked gilt-lettering to spine,a gilt+navy blue striped headband and immaculate plain navy blue endpapers.UK,thick, heavy,8vo HB+ dw/dj,illustrated,1st edn,vii-xxvpp+3-480pp [paginated] includes separate Contents and Illustrations lists/tables with double-page Family tree chart to reverse of last page of Illustration's list/table, a Preface,12 chapters with profuse contemporary b/w illustration reproductions,contemporary b/w biographical,scenic etc. photographs interspersed throughout the text and the book,24pp colour illustrations/paintings etc in 1 block,between pp230/31,a Key to Notes,Notes and an Index.Plus [unpaginated] a thumbnail b/w self-portrait of Matisse,c.1900,half-title,title page with dedication to its reverse,and to the rear,6pp blanks. See also my book ID rja784018 for an example of Volume Two of same subject,by same author. This is the first true biography of Henri Matisse,and most of it will surprise even specialists. The few facts known until now about Matisse's life have been distorted by inaccuracy,misunderstanding and glaring gas.Hilary Spurling's book investigates the secret life of the Fauvre - or wild beast - whose paintings shocked and infuriated his contemporaries in the first years of the 20th century. It tells the story of an inovative genius,born in war-torn,poverty-stricken Flanders - just the other side of the frontier fron Van Gogh's home - who overcame hardship and disaster to fulfil at last Van Gogh's prophecy: 'The painter of the future will be such a colourist as has never yet been.' It is also the story of several remarkable women,including his mistress,his wife and his daughter: of the older artists he learnt from,theyounger ones who were his friends and fellow pioneers; and the patrons who backed him against the derision of the public. Above all,it is the story of a man as warm,humorous and generous in his private relationships as he was dedicated to his art,whose true character emerges at last fromthis enchanting and astonishing portrait in depth. Please contact seller @ rpaxtonden@blueyonder.co.uk ,because of the value and weight of this item- just in excess of 1.5Kg unpackaged - for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas customers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always. **