Aesop's Fables (Deluxe Illustrated Edition, Limited & Signed by Arthur Rackham)

Arthur Rackham (1867–1939) is the central figure of the golden age of British illustration. His career began in pen and ink for the illustrated press, developed through the early gift books of the 1890s, and reached its full characteristic expression with the extraordinary sequence of Heinemann illustrated gift books that defined his reputation: Rip Van Winkle (1905), Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (1906), Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1907), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1908), the Wagnerian Rhinegold and the Valkyrie (1910) and Siegfried and the Twilight of the Gods (1911), and this volume, Aesop's Fables, in 1912.

The limitation of this edition is of particular note. Of the 1,450 numbered and signed copies, Heinemann reserved 200 specifically for the Australian market — a relatively large allocation that reflects both the vigour of the colonial book trade and the already substantial reputation Rackham had established in the antipodean market before the First World War. The limitation page is signed by Rackham in black ink.

First edition. Signed limited deluxe edition. Limited to 1,450 numbered and signed copies, of which 1,000 were for Great Britain and Ireland, 250 for the United States of America, and 200 for Australia; this being copy 266. The famous Rackham-illustrated edition. Translations by V. S. Vernon Jones; indroduction by G. K. Chesterton. Quarto (29.5 cm). Original publisher's white buckram cloth. Gilt-stamped vignettes and titling to upper board and spine. Top edge gilt; others uncut. xxix, 224 pp. 13 tipped-in colour plates on thick brown art paper with captioned tissue guards; frontispiece, illustrated title page, and 53 black and white illustrations throughout, comprising 19 full-page illustrations and numerous in-text vignettes. Covers marked and somewhat soiled. Spine darkened with a bump near the middle. Binding sound: square and tight. Contents very good; some markings and toning throughout, most prominent to preliminaries and to pages succeeding the plate mounts. Plates fine, bright and bold, excellently preserved.

Please note: This is a large and heavy volume. Additional postage costs may apply. If so, we will contact you after purchase.

This book is currently not on display in store. If you would like more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact: rarebooks@harryhartog.com.au

Catalogue Number: HH000435