The Happy Hypocrite

London: John Lane the Bodley Head, 1915. First edition. Cloth. Near Fine. 10.5" by 8" . George Sheringham. A lovely large paper copy of Max Beerbohm's short story 'The Happy Hypocrite' with illustrations by George Sheringham, the first edition thus. A short story with moral implications, first appearing in volume Xi of The Yellow Book, and published in book form in 1897. Following the story of a man who deceives a woman with a mask in order to marry her. A lighter and more humorous version of Oscar Wilde's classic tale of The Picture of Dorian Gray.This is the first edition to feature remarkable illustrations by George Sheringham, numerous in text as well as a coloured frontispiece and twenty-three full page coloured plates. Collated, complete. Sheringham was one of the first British painters to receive the Royal Designers for Industry distinction in 1937, best remembered for his work for the D"Oyly Carte Opera Company. In the original publisher's full decorative cloth binding. Externally lovely with minor shelf wear, minor bumping to the extremities of the boards, some darkening to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Light spotting to the edges, not affecting the pages that remain bright and clean. With numerous illustrations in text as well as a coloured frontispiece and twenty-three full page coloured plates. Collated, complete.  Near Fine