The Ring of the Niblung: A Trilogy in One Volume with Illustrations by Arthur Rackham

London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1939. Stated at copyright: First Edition published 1939. Bluish-green full-cloth boards, sharp black cover and spine design, titles, moderate shelf, spine edge wear, rub. Crisp cover design features titles w/stylized dragon eating its tail and spine features titles w/classic ouroboros insignia. Pages very good w/moderate toning. Decorated endpapers w/floating fairies. Bind good, square; hinges intact. Illustrated throughout with the epic imagery of the saga by Arthur Rackham on smooth, coated plates. Printed in Great Britain by William Clowes and Sons, Limited, Duchy Street, Stamford Street, London, and at Beccles. 160 and 182 pages of text w/24 plates in each book of this single volume. Insured post. These works are based loosely on characters from the Norse sagas, and are translated here into English by Margaret Armour. The saga includes: ‘The Rhinegold’ - the prelude, ‘The Valkyrie’ - the first day of the trilogy, ‘Siegfried’ - the second day of the trilogy, and ‘The Twilight of the Gods’ - the third day of the trilogy. Initially establishing his reputation as a romantic composer, Wagner revolutionized opera through his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk (‘total work of art’), by which he sought to synthesise the poetic, visual, musical and dramatic arts. This edition of ‘The Rhinegold and The Valkyrie’ and 'Siegfried and The Twilight of the Gods' is heightened by the dazzling color illustrations of a master of the craft, Arthur Rackham. One of the most celebrated painters of the British Golden Age of Illustration (1850 until the start of the First World War), Rackham’s artistry is unparalleled. Throughout his career, he developed a unique style, combining haunting humour with dream-like romance. Presented alongside the text, his illustrations further refine and elucidate Wagner’s captivating storytelling.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good. Illus. by Rackham, Arthur. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.