Quarto. One of 1000 numbered copies, of which this is no. 225. 87 pp. With 103 plates. Original publisher's tan cloth, lettered gilt. Boards a trifle rubbed and marked, spine ends lightly bumped. Internally bright and clean, save toning to endpapers, with the original 103 tissue guards loosely inserted. With the bookplate of Anthony Eden to front pastedown.

A limited edition of German art critic and pioneer of both Art Nouveau, and the relatively new Art History movements, Julius Meier-Graefe's (1867-1935) in depth study of Edgar Degas (1834-1917), one of the most important artists of turn of the century Europe, remembered as both the father of - and extremely anti - impressionism. Degas enjoyed a varied career in several mediums, beginning as a classically trained history painter, to photography, sculpture and prints. He is now best remembered for his works depicting contemporary life as well as a significant body of work in pastels and oils, on ballet dancers and racehorses.

Sir Anthony Eden (1897-1977), British foreign secretary (1935-38, 1940-45, and 1951-55) and Prime Minister (1955- 1957). Following active service in the First World War, Eden read Oriental languages at Oxford. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1923. In 1935 he was appointed foreign secretary, a position he resigned in 1938 to protest Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement of Nazi Germany. When Churchill became Prime Minister in 1940, he was named secretary of state for war, and later during the Second World War once more served as foreign secretary. Eden succeeded Churchill as Prime Minister in 1955. In 1956, his failure to respond effectively during the Suez Crisis, and the subsequent loss of party and public support, ultimately led to his resignation from office in 1957. He was knighted in 1954 and created earl of Avon in 1961.