Platon [Plato] / Rudolf Kassner (translation) / Heinz Battke (illustrations) / Gotthard de Beauclair - Das Gastmahl oder über die Liebe. In der Übertragung von Rudolf Kassner. Mit neun - 1965-1965

Das Gastmahl oder über die Liebe. In der Übertragung von Rudolf Kassner. Mit neun Original-Radierungen von Heinz Battke. – Platon [Plato] / Rudolf Kassner (translation) / Heinz Battke (illustrations) / Gotthard de Beauclair (publisher / designer)

Frankfurt: Verlag Ars Librorum (Gotthard de Beauclair), 1965. 68, [4] pages. 44cm x 31cm. Softcover with loose sheets as issued in the original printed paper wrapper with an illustration on the front cover, and a protective glassine wrapper. Housed within the original blue cloth-covered clamshell with a golden illustrated label on the front and a golden lettered label on the spine. First copy (#1) of the strictly limited retail edition of only 300 numbered copies (from a total edition of 325), printed on premium BFK Rives wove paper. Hand-signed by the artist Heinz Battke and the legendary publisher-typographer Gotthard de Beauclair in the colophon. An exceptional, award-winning mid-century livre d'artiste (artist's book), officially honored as one of the “50 Most Beautiful German Books of 1965.” This magnificent folio production pairs Plato's seminal philosophical dialogue on the nature of love and desire—rendered in the highly regarded German translation by the cultural philosopher Rudolf Kassner—with nine stunning original etchings (including three full-page plates) by the German painter and graphic artist Heinz Battke, created between 1963 and 1965. Masterfully designed by Gotthard de Beauclair, this monument of modern German fine press printing elevates the ancient text through exquisite typography, generous margins, and museum-grade materials.

Some, rubbing, ageing, dusting, and wear to the clamshell. The clamshell box has a small tear at the top front, and some brown spots on the lettered label on the spine (see photos). The glassine wrapper of the has some small pieces torn off at the bottom and top edge (see photos). No browning and spotting throughout, the pages are all fresh and clean. The text and illustrations are crisp and clear. Overall, a stunning copy in very good+ condition.