Arthur Rackham / The Allies' Fairy Book Signed limited edition 1st Edition 1916

Description: The Allies' Fairy Book (Signed limited edition) Author: Rackham, Arthur (illustrator) Title: The Allies' Fairy Book (Signed limited edition) Publication: London: William Heinemann, 1916 Edition: First edition Description: Edition deluxe, number 146 of 525 numbered copies signed by the artist. Quarto (9 11/16 x 7 3/8 inches; 246 x 187 mm.). xxii, 121, [1], [4, blank] pp. Twelve color plates mounted on heavy brown paper, with descriptive tissue guards printed in red, and twenty-four drawings in black and white. Publisher's blue buckram, front cover and spine pictorially stamped and lettered in gilt, decorative end-papers, top edge gilt, others uncut. A Near Fine copy with the spine a trifle toned, previous bookseller's ticket on the front paste-down and some pencil notations. Slight offsetting from the silk marker to pages 76-77. A fascinating relic of WWI, The Allies Fairy Books, was a celebration of international cooperation between European governments in the face of conflict. Given the harsh realities of war and the hopeful spirit of the production, Rackham departed from his usual gothic style and avoided violent scenes, instead composing images that "thrill and inspire" (Hamilton). "When The Allies' Fairy Book was published, [Edmund] Gosse wrote to Rackham (6th November 1916): 'Will you think me impertinent if I tell you how beautiful I think your illustrations... their variety, and ingenuity, and the delicacy of your fancy, and the romantic ardour of your mind, were never so humble a degree - in a work so charming'" (Hudson).Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) is perhaps the most acclaimed and influential illustrator of the Golden Age of Illustration. A prolific artist even from his youth, Rackham got his start as an illustrator working for the Westminster Budget Newspaper (1892). Over the next few years, he took on more and more commissions for children's books, hitting his career high in the first three decades of the twentieth century. Rackham turned his imaginative pen to every classic—from Shakespeare to Dickens to Poe.The tales, from their nation of origin, include: English: Jack the Giant-KillerScottish: The Battle of the BirdsWelsh: Lludd and LlevelysIrish: GuleeshFrench: The Sleeping BeautyItalian: Cesarino and The DragonPortuguese: What Came of Picking FlowersJapanese: The Adventures of Little Peachling, The Fox's Wedding and The Tongue-cut SparrowRussian: FrostSerbian: The Golden Apple-tree and The Nine Pea HensBelgium: The Last Adventure of Thyl UlenspiegelLatimore and Haskell, pp. 45-46. Riall, p. 128. Near Fine Seller ID: 6569 Subject: Illustrated Books, Literature, Signed Books Whitmore Rare Books was founded in 2010 with the aim of drawing together exceptional first editions of important literary works. Over the past several years, the shop has become a world-class destination for both seasoned collectors as well as those people newly discovering the field. WRB maintains a reputation for rigorous research and integrity, for discriminating taste, and for creating a space where collectors can interact with amazing copies of the books they love. Terms All orders ship within three business days. All items are guaranteed to be as described or they may be returned within 14 days of receipt for a full refund.This listing was created by Bibliopolis.

Price: 1750 USD

Location: Pasadena, California

End Time: 2025-01-16T14:53:06.000Z

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