The Savoy (advertisement)

London: C.F. Kell for Leonard Smithers, 1896. Original advertising "posterette" featuring Aubrey Beardsley's final cover design for The Savoy. A lavish quarterly devoted to literature, art, and criticism (mostly of Victorian behaviors), The Savoy was founded in 1896 by the libertine book dealer and publisher Leonard Smithers. Known for his decadent illustrations for Salomé and The Yellow Book, Beardsley was an inspired choice as designer. Due to a combination of societal backlash and a bloated budget, The Savoy ceased publication after only eight issues. This image appeared on the cover of the final single issue. It was reprinted shortly thereafter on this advertising "posterette" (as Beardsley termed it) to promote the complete three-volume set of The Savoy. An iconic image of the period. Color-lithographed poster, sight size 10.5 x 8.25 inches, framed to 18 x 15 inches. Signed with A/B monogram in lower left corner of image. A few faint creases. (Inventory #: 1003443)