Beautifully illustrated with 12 full page stylized color illustrations by Valenti Angelo. Set on the imaginary island of Nepenthe, off the coast of Italy in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Famous for its young women, lobsters, and its south wind. Douglas captivates the reader with his eloquent depiction of the landscape and villages in this Mediterranean paradise, much like his favorite island 'Capri'. A perfect background for the odd blend of locals, visitors and expatriates whose antics create a engaging tale. The Bishop Heard, just returning from Africa, a reclusive Count, the flashy Mr. Muhlen a womanizing blackmailer, Miss Wilberforce the alcoholic who sheds her clothes in public, hedonistic Mr. Keith and others, the handsome Russian and his sect "Little White Cows,"etc. living in their own reality on this timeless Mediterranean Island. George Norman Douglas, (Austria, 1868 - 1952) raised in England, who wrote many books including those on travel, best remembered for South Wind, 1917, which he wrote after travel to the Mediterranean. He was an extensive traveler who lived on Capri for much of his adult life. The moral and sexual themes of South Wind brought considerable attention to the book when first published. Black cloth boards with gilt title and decoration to lower edge, spine letttering pale green, illustrated end papers. DW black, red lettering and design. Spine mildly sunned, spine ends and corners chipped, wear to rear flap. Hinge cracked between e.p. and half title., page 413, upper corner creased. Pages ends deckled. Clean, solidly bound, no inscriptions. Verso of half title has "A Letter to the Author from Professor Saintsbury". In mylar protective jacket. 413 pp, sm 4 to. First American, Second Print. Click title for image.

South Wind first edition, Novels of Italy, Valenti Angelo Art Deco Illustrations, Illustrated novels, fictional islands, Travel, Italy, Illustrated Novels, Novels 1900-20, First American Edition