MALORY (Thomas). Le Morte Darthur. London, J. M. Dent, 1893-1894. 2 volumes in-8 square, bradel beige cloth, rich gilt decoration, untrimmed (Publisher's binding). First edition of Aubrey Beardsley's illustration, one of his masterpieces. This superb Art Nouveau publication presents the legend of King Arthur in Thomas Malory's modernised version, illustrated with two rotogravure frontispieces and hundreds of wood-engraved compositions, including eighteen out-of-text (five are double-page), after Aubrey Beardsley. Edition of 1800 copies, this being one of 1500 on ordinary paper. A well-preserved copy in its elegant publisher's boards. Spotting and minor rubbing to bindings, some foxing and foxing to leaves.