The Tale of Lohengrin: Knight of the Swan After the Drama by Richard Wagner and Presented by Willy Pogany

London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., 1913. First edition thus; from colophon at back: "The entire book, including auto-lithographs, is printed by off-set lithography by Vincent Brooks, Day and Sons Ltd. London, the four-colour reproductions are the work of The Dux Engraving Co. Ltd. Glasgow." No date; circa 1913. Oversize 8" x 11" folio design. Fine brown morocco pebbled leather boards w/elaborately tooled blind-stamped ornamentation and design, crisp gilt spine titles length of spine, light shelf wear; protected in clear sleeve. Spine richly displays complete titles in gilt w/stylized heart design at top, and swan at bottom. Thick deckled pages near fine. Bright gilded top edge. Detailed slate, green, and brown imagery at front, back endpapers. Bind fine, intact. Elaborate, profuse, symbolical and complexly illustrated edition by Willy Pogany. Eight deliciously, richly subdued four-color plates in blending watercolor-like presentation. Enchanting monochromatic, two and three-color designs throughout w/flourishing borders, accents, colors; also chiaroscuro-like black imagery among other varied methods. Although other artists have illustrated various editions, Willy Pogany captures the surreal nature of this tale. An attractive, near fine example of this rarity. The son of Parzival (Percival), Lohengrin is a knight of the Holy Grail sent in a boat pulled by swans to rescue a maiden who can never ask his identity. His story, which first appears in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival, is a version of the Knight of the Swan legend passed on in a variety of medieval tales. Wolfram's story was expanded in two later romances. Presented here is Richard Wagner's opera of Lohengrin based upon these legends. William Andrew ("Willy") Pogany, born Vilmos Andreas Pogany, was a prolific Hungarian illustrator. Pogany's best known works consist of illustrations of classic myths and legends done in the Art Nouveau style. The publication of Pogany's Lohengrin was the final act in his trilogy of masterworks focused on Wagner's Germanic tales, and one of the quintet that is considered his finest work. Pogany clearly approached the commission to illustrate Lohengrin as an opportunity to improve and extend techniques that he had developed through his preceding works: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Tannhäuser and Parsifal; four books that immortalized him as an illustrator. His commitment to ongoing innovation resulted in an incredible suite of illustrations, including color lithographs, monotone and marginal illustrations, and the delightful tipped-in color plates (produced with a four-color process) included in here. Themes of medieval chivalry, erotic love and moral tests are illustrated in a lavish fashion by Pogány with an outstanding use of iconography, form and color. A rare and beautiful book. Insured post.. First Edition. Full-Leather. Fine. Illus. by Pogany, Willy. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Book.