The Rhinegold and the Valkyrie, Limited Ed. Illustrated and Signed by A. Rackham
"The Rhinegold and the Valkyrie" by Richard Wagner and translated into English by Margaret Armour was published in London in 1910 by Doubleday, Page & Co./William Heinemann. It contains 34 tipped-in color illustrations created by Arthur Rackham, each with a printed tissue overleaf. The binding is of a cream-colored vellum secured in the closed position with a burgundy-colored ribbon. There is gold embossed text and an illustration on the front board, as well as on the spine. The upper page edges are gilded, while the other edges are uncut. There is mild smudging of the bindings, but the book is in very good condition otherwise.
Author: Richard Wagner
Illustrator: Arthur Rackham
Creation Year: 1910
Edition: 1st Edition
Dimensions:
Height: 11.63 in (29.55 cm)
Width: 9.38 in (23.83 cm)
Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
Materials: Vellum, Paper
Condition: See description.
"The Rhinegold and the Valkyrie" by Richard Wagner and translated into English by Margaret Armour was published in London in 1910 by Doubleday, Page & Co./William Heinemann. It contains 34 tipped-in color illustrations created by Arthur Rackham, each with a printed tissue overleaf. The binding is of a cream-colored vellum secured in the closed position with a burgundy-colored ribbon. There is gold embossed text and an illustration on the front board, as well as on the spine. The upper page edges are gilded, while the other edges are uncut. There is mild smudging of the bindings, but the book is in very good condition otherwise.
Author: Richard Wagner
Illustrator: Arthur Rackham
Creation Year: 1910
Edition: 1st Edition
Dimensions:
Height: 11.63 in (29.55 cm)
Width: 9.38 in (23.83 cm)
Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
Materials: Vellum, Paper
Condition: See description.
"The Rhinegold and the Valkyrie" by Richard Wagner and translated into English by Margaret Armour was published in London in 1910 by Doubleday, Page & Co./William Heinemann. It contains 34 tipped-in color illustrations created by Arthur Rackham, each with a printed tissue overleaf. The binding is of a cream-colored vellum secured in the closed position with a burgundy-colored ribbon. There is gold embossed text and an illustration on the front board, as well as on the spine. The upper page edges are gilded, while the other edges are uncut. There is mild smudging of the bindings, but the book is in very good condition otherwise.
Author: Richard Wagner
Illustrator: Arthur Rackham
Creation Year: 1910
Edition: 1st Edition
Dimensions:
Height: 11.63 in (29.55 cm)
Width: 9.38 in (23.83 cm)
Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
Materials: Vellum, Paper
Condition: See description.
This is a deluxe limited first edition, number 378 of 1150. It is hand signed by Arthur Rackham. This copy was gifted by Harris Rackham (Arthur's brother) and Clara Dorothea Rackham (Arthur's sister-in-law), with a pastedown handwritten note on a front endpaper dated 17.6.38, which reads "With all good wishes from C. D. & H. Rackham". Harris Rackham (1868–1944) was a scholar, author and Fellow of Christ’s College, Cambridge. His wife Clara Dorothea Rackham was a progressive magistrate and prominent suffragette in Cambridge, who fought for the rights of the underprivileged, as well as for prison reform and she founded the Cambridge Cooperative Women's Guild. There is a bookplate adhered to the front endpaper with a royal crest-of-arms topped with a crown and the initials V. M. below. This may have been the recipient of the Rackham's gift in 1938.
Richard Wagner (1813-1883), well-known composer & musician of the 1800's, spent 26 years from the age of 35 until he was 61, writing the text and composing the music for a four-part music-drama, Der Ring des Niebelungen (The Ring of the Niblung) which was first performed in 1876. The work is based on Norse and German mythology and the characters include gods, half-gods, nymphs, dwarves and giants. Humans do not appear on the scene until the second part of the music-drama which is Die Walkure (The Valkyrie). The Nibelungs are hard-working dwarves whose job it is to mine and forge valuable minerals. The three Rhine-daughters in this work are nymphs that guard the gold that lies at the bottom of the flowing Rhine. A powerful allegory of life, its conflicts, its triumphs and tragedies, The Ring of the Niblung has been compared to J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
Arthur Rackham (1867–1939) was a famous and beloved British illustrator renowned for his distinctive and enchanting illustrations that brought to life the realms of fantasy and folklore. Born in London, Rackham began his career as a commercial artist, but his talent soon drew attention to his unique style, which melded intricate line work with imaginative, dreamlike colors. Rackham's work is characterized by its intricate detail, whimsical figures, and a distinctive use of color and shadow that evokes a sense of mystery and wonder. He gained widespread acclaim for his illustrations in classic fairy tales and children's literature, including works such as Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and Grimm's Fairy Tales. His ability to capture the essence of these stories with both haunting and charming visuals made his illustrations a beloved part of literary history. Rackham's illustrations often feature ethereal, otherworldly creatures and settings that transport readers to magical realms. His style reflects influences from the Pre-Raphaelite movement and the Arts and Crafts movement, but with a unique twist that made his work stand out in the world of illustration. Throughout his career, Rackham's contributions to book illustration were highly regarded, earning him a place among the great illustrators of his time. His legacy continues to influence and inspire illustrators and artists, and his works remain treasured for their beauty and imaginative depth.
Reference: Latecomer and Haskell, 26
