Books and Manuscripts · Lot 159

Lawlor, A. Arquebus.

Melbourne, The Ruskin Press, 1937, 216,(2)p., orig. wr. w. dustwr. design by E. THAKE.

AND 2 small publications, a catalogue for the Annual Exhibition of the SOCIETY OF ARTISTS (Sydney, 1946, orig. wr. design by D. ANNAND, sm. 8vo) and a brochure published to raise funds for the establishment of The Institute of Contemporary Arts (London, ±1945, orig. wr. design by H. SPENCER).

Lot: 159
Auction: Auction 85, 23-27 Nov 2026
Section: GLOBAL AVANTGARDE - MODERNIST TYPOGRAPHY AND DESIGN 1915-1950
Comes up: Session of Monday 23 November 2026, 6.30 pm, around 7.25 pm
Estimate: €50 – €70
Photos: 1 photo

Condition

Fine copy, rare with its orig. dustwrapper.

Notes

Global Avantgarde Australia 9. Rare work by the modernist artist Adrian Lawlor (1889-1969). Together with fellow artist George Bell he strongly resisted the proposal to form an Australian Academy of Art in 1937 and next year set up the opposing Contemporary Art Society. This book, Arquebus (1937), and his pamphlet Eliminations (1939), dealt brilliantly with the controversy.

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