A Sienese Painter of the Franciscan Legend

London: J.M. Dent, 1910. Second printing. Laid in is a four page autograph letter signed from Bernard Berenson to Reverend Doctor Joseph Raymond Swain May 31, 1929. “Dear Mr. Swain. My ‘Sienese Painter of the Franciscan Legend’ is not out of print in England where you can get all the copies you want, by applying directly to the publisher, J.M. Dent & Co, London. It is only ‘out of print’, so to speak in America. I venture to suggest that if you used your pastoral authority in favour of abolishing duties on books in the English language printed abroad. You would be distinctly helping on civilization in our country. With the exception of the ‘Marriage of St. Francis to Poverty, Chastity, & Obedience’, the other panels of the series now belong to Mr. Clarence Mackay, whose office in New York City is 253 Broadway. Perhaps, if you wrote to him he would give you colored reproductions of his marvelous treasures. If you find occasion to write again please address me to Settignano, Florence, Italy. Sincerely yours, B. Berenson.” Original envelope addressed in Berenson’s hand affixed to the rear blank page. Hardbound. Grey printed boards with tan cloth spine. 8vo. Text text plus 26 collotype plates. With Swain’s bookplate. A study of the painter Stefano di Giovani (called Sassetta) who was considered one of the finest of the Old Masters of the Early Renaissance in Siena. Very good.