MOORE, Henry; READ, Herbert (introduction), Henry Moore: Sculptor (A. Zwemmer, London), 1934 [first edition]

183x243mm; pp. [16], [36 full page plates]

An exceptional copy of the first book on Henry Moore. This beautiful production, published by Zwemmer and designed and printed by Percy Lund Humphries, marks the arrival of Henry Moore as Britain's pre-eminent sculptor. As Herbert Read comments in his introduction: "There has been no compromise in the life of Henry Moore, and now, in the fulness of his powers, he offers us the perfected product of his genius". The introduction itself is a perceptive account of the relationship between carving and modelling, and the sensual nature of Moore's art. The plates show a selection of Moore's work from 1928 to 1933, including sculptures in private collections, public work, and drawings. This copy is unusual in retaining its glassine wrapper, over paper-covered boards that are in more or less perfect condition; the wrapper is a little worn and chipped as you would expect; the boards show only the slightest wear to the base and corners; internally fine throughout.