Autograph letter signed, to John Taylor, together with seven greetings cards, four bookplates, and other material.

Limpsfield, Surrey: Stilegate, 10 October, 1934. I do not quite know what to say about the watercolour sketches in the books An interesting letter in which Rackham writes to his agent and discusses drawing additional watercolours in books, together with his thoughts about terms. Letters by Rackham with business content are uncommon. John Taylor acted for Rackham in the 1930s and arranged business with clients in America. Rackham states he is glad to learn that Taylor is "going to carry on with Alwin Scheuer's business" but notes he does "not quite know what to say about the watercolour sketches in the books" since Scheuer had asked for a reduction in terms "on account of the depression... and the decrease in the value of the dollar and the duty on the imported books". Alwin J. Scheuer was a rare book dealer in New York with offices at 35 East 84th Street. He died on 15 April 1934, aged 52, and, evidently, commissioned Rackham to add original watercolours to books. Rackham had been paid "£8 & £5, for colour and black and white respectively" but notes he "would rather do my business with a proper regard to the conditions regulating the other party". Accordingly, he questions "whether the higher prices would really make it more difficult... to sell the books". Rackham acknowledges "it doesn't appear a very businesslike thing... to do my thinking aloud to you", notes "there are other American firms doing the same thing", and stipulates that "my prices must be the same for all". The proposed terms are £6 and £4, and Rackham states "my instinctive feeling would make me say I will accept the lower terms - until conditions change..." Rackham appreciates his agent is in an awkward position and admits "it is rather a difficult point for you to talk about". He concludes his letter, presumably responding to an enquiry about recent work, noting "I have none but the Pied Piper this year". Also present is paperwork relating to the sale of one of the watercolours from Goblin Market to Mrs Myrle Oberlin (1888-1952) of Cleveland, Ohio. There is a receipt in Rackham's hand, addressed from 6 Primrose Hill Studio, London, noting he has "received from Mrs J. F. Oberlin the sum of Three Hundred & Fifty Dollars for the original painting 'Goblin Market' by Arthur Rackham". This is signed by Rackham across two duty stamps and dated 30 July 1935. A second document is a "Declaration in Connection with Paintings, Etc., and Sculptures" form for the American Consular Service. Rackham has completed this, noting that he is the artist who created the painting, that it was "taken as passenger's baggage", and that the port of entry was New York. The form is signed three times by Rackham and dated 15 August 1935. It is accompanied by the original envelope addressed to Mrs M. C. Oberlin by Rackham. John F. Oberlin (1880-1971) was a lawyer for patents in the Cleveland firm of Fay, Oberlin & Fay. Arriving passenger and crew lists reveal that his wife, Myrle Oberlin, accompanied by a daughter and son, arrived in New York on 22 August 1935 on board the SS Washington which had sailed from Southampton. The son, John Cameron Oberlin, later collected the works of Arthur Rackham, and his collection was sold by the Children's Book Gallery, San Francisco, in 2009. John C. Oberlin is named by Derek Hudson in his forward to Arthur Rackham: his Life and Work. Also present are seven greetings cards from Rackham. As noted by Riall, "Arthur Rackham often created a special design or incorporated a design from one of his books". The present collection includes one example not recorded by Riall. The cards, all signed by the artist, are as follows: 1) "Best Wishes for the New Century from Arthur Rackham. Xmas 1900"; 2) "Best Wishes from Mr & Mrs Arthur Rackham and Barbara Mary. Xmas 1911"; 3) "With best wishes from Mr & Mrs Arthur Rackham and Barbara Mary. Christmas 1912"; 4) "With best wishes from Mr & Mrs Arthur Rackham & Barbara", [1919/1920 New Year]; 5) "Best Wishes from Mr & Mrs Arthur Rackham & Barbara. Christmas 1930. Stilegate, Limpsfield"; 6) "Best Wishes from Mr & Mrs Arthur Rackham & Barbara. Stilegate, Limpsfield. Christmas 1931"; 7) "With Best Wishes for 1935 from Mr & Mrs Arthur Rackham & Barbara" (unrecorded by Riall). An announcement card for the marriage and new address of Rackham's daughter ("Philip Soper & Barbara Rackham were married on 27th July 1935! And they live at 6 Regent Square, London, W.C.1") is also present. Finally, there are four examples of bookplates, comprising: 1) "Illustrated and owned by Arthur Rackham", gummed paper, 63 x 85 mm. (reproduced by Riall, p. 242); 2) "Illustrated and Owned by Arthur Rackham", glossy paper, 80 x 102 mm. (variant design from above); 3) "G. L. Lazarus", ungummed paper, 133 x 108 mm. 4) "G. L. Lazarus", glossy paper, 109 x 90mm. Single bifolium (folded to 178 x 114 mm), printed letterhead ("Stilegate, Limpsfield, Surrey"), written on four pages, together with envelope and franked postage stamp; together with cards, bookplates, and other material. Within custom red morocco-backed folding box. Letter: original crease, extremities a little rubbed, some minor short tears, trace of former mounting, very condition; all others in fine condition. Riall, p. 241-2. "Alwin J. Scheuer Dies", New York Times, 16 April 1934, p. 17; Derek Hudson, Arthur Rackham: his Life and Work, 1960