Lucian's True History deluxe edition 1 of 54 Aubrey Beardsley plates 1894

[BEARDSLEY, Aubrey] LUCIAN OF SAMOSATA. Lucian's True History. One of 54 Copies on Japanese Vellum, with an Additional Aubrey Beardsley Illustration. Barry Humphries's Copy.
 
London: Privately Printed, 1894.
 
First edition thus. Number 6 of only 54 copies printed on Japanese vellum. 4to. [7], viii-xxix, [4], 4-247, [1] pp. Parallel Greek and English text, translated by Francis Hickes, with an introduction by Charles Whibley. Title page printed in red and black. Seventeen tissue-guarded plates by William Strang, J. B. Clark and Aubrey Beardsley, including three by Beardsley rather than the two included in the ordinary issue. Original cream buckram, lettered in black to the spine, pages uncut. With the pictorial bookplate of Barry Humphries and the earlier armorial bookplate of the Hall of Otterburn, Northumberland, to the front pastedown. The cloth is somewhat darkened and marked, particularly to the spine, with light wear and bumping to the extremities. Occasional light toning and spotting internally, but generally clean, with the striking illustrations in excellent condition. Very Good.
 
A rare deluxe issue. Often regarded as one of the earliest surviving works of science fiction, True History deliberately parodies the extravagant claims of ancient travellers and historians. Its adventures include voyages beyond the known world, encounters with fantastic peoples and creatures, a journey to the Moon and an interplanetary war.
 
The edition was illustrated by William Strang, J. B. Clark and the young Aubrey Beardsley. While the ordinary issue contains sixteen plates, including two by Beardsley, the Japanese-vellum issue was limited to only 54 copies and includes an additional Beardsley plate, a variant. From the library of Barry Humphries.