The Darkening Ecliptic. Poems by Ern Malley. Paintings by Sidney Nolan ...
London, R. Alistair McAlpine, 1974 (first thus).
Large quarto, 56 pages extensively illustrated with colour illustrations of Nolan's paintings and crayon drawings.
Decorated papered boards; top edge very lightly foxed; essentially a fine copy with the excellent dustwrapper a little sunned, marked and foxed.
Number 3 of only 50 copies with an original crayon drawing signed by Sidney Nolan (showing an upside-down Ern Malley) on the front flyleaf. The title page is signed by Robert Melville (who contributed the preface), Elwyn Lynn (responsible for the introduction) and again by Nolan. It is also inscribed in another hand 'To John | Best wishes | [signature illegible]'. This most splendid of all versions of 'The Darkening Ecliptic' was conceived by Sidney Nolan thirty years after his involvement with its first publication in 'Angry Penguins #6'. It was a major project for Nolan, flowing from his Adelaide exhibition 'Ern Malley and Paradise Garden'. The detailed essay by Elwyn Lynn, 'The Illuminating Ecliptic, Ern Malley and Sidney Nolan', sheds light on Nolan's years at Heide and the ways in which Ern Malley became central to the dénouement of his relationship with Sunday Reed.
Item #122475
Price (AUD):
$3,500.00