The Pied Piper of Hamelin

London: George C. Harrap, 1934. First and Limited Edition. Wraps. Fine. Rackham, Arthur. Deluxe version of the first edition with Arthur Rackham illustrations, one of 410 copies, octavo size, 45 pp., bound in vellum and signed by Arthur Rackham, in slipcase. The well-known legend from the Middle Ages, related in poetic form by Robert Browning (1812-1889).

This version the first publication with illustrations by Arthur Rackham (1867-1939), an eminent illustrator of many books which often depict fantasy and fairy tale subjects. Rackham contributed the artwork for many popular stories, such as "Cinderella", "Sleeping Beauty", "Alice in Wonderland", and the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Known for his ability to produce both eerie, almost feral trees, goblins, and assorted other ne'er-do-wells while at the same time bringing to life breathtakingly lovely fairies, princesses, and good children, Rackham's illustrations are still highly regarded and his illustrated books remain favourites.

This the deluxe version bound in full vellum, one of 410 copies signed by Arthur Rackham on the limitation page.

___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full limp vellum with yapped edges, olive decorated endpapers, half-title with a Rackham silhouette, the limitation page with Rackham's signature on the verso of the half-title, the colour frontis one of the four colour plates bound in throughout, with fourteen drawings in black-and-white including one double-page, illustrated title page in olive and black; octavo size (9 1/4" by 6"), pagination: [1-6] 7-44 [45]; limited edition of 410 copies, this no. 193. Housed in the publisher's slipcase of cardboard covered with white paper, paper spine label with black lettering and the limitation number (no. 193) written in black ink.

___CONDITION: Volume fine overall, the vellum clean, the text block strong with solid hinges, the interior clean and bright and remarkably free of foxing, and entirely free of prior owner markings; a small abraded area at the top of the front free endpaper (presumably a prior owner erasing the name), else fine. The slipcase very good, all component parts present and attached, with some of the seams beginning to split, overall soiling and some wear, the spine label somewhat sunned but not chipped.

___CITATION: Latimore & Haskell p. 71, Riall p. 186.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

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