[AUSTEN, John]. Daphnis & Chloe. Translated out of the Greek of Longus by George Thornley in 1657. With Decorations by John Austen. London: Geoffrey Bles, 1925. 4to, 200pp. Off-white cloth decoratively stamped in gilt. 12 color and 4 b&w plates as well as a few b&w illustrations at headings. Spine ends and corners lightly rubbed, some sheets lightly foxed at edge, else a clean, tight copy in original pictorial dust jacket (worn and chipped at folds and edges, lightly sunned, soiled, and aged).

First John Austen-illustrated edition. The wonderful ancient Greek romance following two abandoned children raised as shepherds who slowly discover the meaning of love. John Austen’s delicate Art Deco illustrations capture the romance and passion of this ancient tale, bringing a wonderful new sensibility to this often-illustrated story. One of Austen’s more adult and amorous works.