Axis a Quarterly Review of Contemporary "Abstract" Paintings & Sculpture.

EVANS, Myfanwy [editor]

Eight volumes; original illustrated paper covers; 4to; complete with 5 coloured plates and numerous illustrations throughout. Axis was a magazine devoted to contemporary art, published and edited by Myfanwy Evans assisted by her husband John Piper. In the first issue (January 1935) Axis was described as 'a quarterly review of contemporary abstract painting and sculpture', but the quarterly intervals became almost half-yearly; the last issue (the 8th) appeared in winter 1937. Evans was encouraged by the French abstract painter Jean Hélion and it was originally intended that Axis should parallel the concerns of the Paris-based Abstraction-Création group. In later issues, however, the commitment to abstraction was abandoned in favour of a Neo-Romantic nostalgia for the English landscape tradition. The list of contributors included Paul Nash and Herbert Read. Although short-lived, the magazine was influential in introducing knowledge of contemporary European trends to Britain. A lovely complete set, with minor spotting and rubbing to some covers. Housed in a custom made folding box.

Ravilious at War. The complete work of Eric Ravilious, September 1939-September 1942.

RAVILIOUS, Eric

Edited by Anne Ullmann, forward by Brian Sewell. Limited Edition of 750 (of which 650 were for sale), oblong 4to; original cloth boards and slipcase; 196 illustrations. Anne Ullmann is the daughter of Eric Ravilious and she includes in the text 280 letters from her father, virtually none of which had been previously published. The book gives a complete picture of his war time work. Fine.