Shakespeare, Arthur Rackham - A Midsummer Nights Dream - 1908

William Shakespeare – A Midsummer-Night’s Dream – 1908 – Arthur Rackham – Illustrated English First Edition

William Shakespeare: A Midsummer-Night’s Dream.

London, William Heinemann / New York, Doubleday, Page & Co., 1908.

First regular edition with the famous illustrations by English Art Nouveau artist Arthur Rackham (1867–1939).

134 numbered pages, plus preliminary and concluding leaves, as well as 40 full-page color plates, printed separately and mounted, with captioned tissue-guard sheets. Also around 30 black-and-white illustrations and decorative drawings in the text.

The color plates were produced using the elaborate Hentschel Colour-Type process.

Rackham’s enchanting depictions of elves, fairies, enchanted forests, and fantastical creatures are among the best-known illustrations in early 20th-century English book art. This edition is considered one of his most important works.

Original light-colored cloth binding with rich gilt stamping and a decorative tree design on the front cover.

Condition: Original binding with age-related discoloration and signs of wear; the gilt stamping remains in good condition. There are also some spots along the margins inside. See photographs.

An important collectible from the heyday of English book illustration and Art Nouveau. Particularly appealing to collectors of Arthur Rackham, Shakespeare, and historical illustrated first editions.