A Midsummer-Night's Dream
London: William Heinemann, 1908. Forty tipped-in color illustrations mounted on brown paper by Arthur Rackham with thirty black and white drawings. Limited edition. Bound by J. May in full red crushed morocco, ruled and fleurons stamped in gilt with floral spine decorations, teg. Head and tail of front joint with 1" split but still holding firm, slightly bowed boards, light shelf wear, still near fine. Item #189805
CRAZED FOR FAIRIES
Escaping from the rapid industrialization of the turn of the century, Edwardian England's imagination turned to fairies, finding perfect matches in tales like Peter Pan and the illustrations of Arthur Rackham. Eerie and fae, Rackham indulged himself in Shakespeare's Midsummer-Night's Dream with the dreamy Fairyland residents, Puck's cheeky endeavors, and ornate landscape details.
William Heinemann published this signed limited edition in 1908, beautifully capturing the luxury of the golden age illustrated gift book in its full red morocco binding with Rackham's illustrations matching the dream-like quality that comes from stepping into Shakespeare's most performed comedy.
Limited to 1000 numbered and signed copies, of which this is 662, signed by Rackham on the limitation page.
[Latimore & Haskell, p. 32].
Price: $2,500.00