"Arthur Rackham's Book of Pictures" illustrated by Arthur Rackham William Heinemann, London - 1913 first UK edition - 25cmx18cm Frontispiece and forty-three other tipped in illustrations by Arthur Rackham - condition: in original binding with soiling to boards, with minor rubbing and wear to board and spine edges, hinges cracked, some glue repairs, overopened, with all Rackham plates present Arthur Rackham's Book of Pictures brings together a number of drawings unrelated in theme. Most of them, it is true, are drawings of the supernatural, of goblins, elves and fairies, and many are based on actual fairy tales; but there are also delightful straightforward drawings of children at the seaside or in the Broad Walk, Kensington Gardens; there is also the well-known 'Cupid's Alley' [the original of which is in the Tate Gallery], which illustrates verses by Austin Dobson, and there are subject pictures and landscapes of wide variety. It was important that such a book should be drawn together by an introductory essay, and natural for Rackham to invite [J.M.] Barrie to write it. The answer he received was cordial but disappointing: '24 June 1913. Dear Rackham, I wish I could, but I have promised to write two introductions this autumn, and had better not undertake more. Added to which I would be very bad at it as I have no skill in criticism. I am very glad to hear of the book and look forward to it. You have no greater admirer than myself, and few there are more warmly indebted to you