Some British Ballads.

RACKHAM, Arthur.

Published by London: Constable and Company Ltd, [1919]

About this Item

First trade edition, inscribed by the artist with a pen-and-ink drawing of a woman singing from a lengthy song sheet on the half title, signed and dated "Arthur Rackham, 7.12.19". This copy is from the pictorial endpapers issue. Riall states that the first impression of the trade edition has white endpapers and notes that "later editions have the grey pictorial endpapers and blue top edge". It seems unlikely that pictorial endpapers would replace blank ones. Moreover, this copy is dated by Rackham on 7 December 1919. The book was announced at the end of October 1919 (see The Athenaeum, 24 October 1919) and most reviews date from December 1919. It is highly likely, therefore, that the present copy is a first impression. One contemporary review celebrated how "illustrated gift books have regained this year all their pre-war sumptuousness. With memories of war paper still vivid in the mind it restores one's faith in the possibility of a return to the normal in other things to handle a volume like 'Some British Ballads'. The publishers have given the ballads a setting worthy of them, and Mr Rackham's drawings are well up to the level that has made him the most popular of illustrators" (Dublin Evening Telegraph, 24 December 1919). Latimore & Haskell, pp. 51-52; Riall, p. 137. Quarto. Colour frontispiece, 15 colour plates, all mounted on heavy grey paper with tissue guards, black and white illustrations in the text, all by Rackham. Original blue cloth, spine and front cover lettered and decorated in gilt, rear cover with decoration in blind, grey pictorial endpapers, top edge blue. Housed in custom blue cloth slipcase. Ownership inscription of one C. G. G. Thomas on first blank, and of one Geoffrey Hinas, dated 1919, to verso. Faint sunning to spine, extremities slightly rubbed, with a couple spots of wear, inner hinge cracked preceding first page of contents but sound, minor foxing to edges. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 195437

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Some British Ballads.
• Publisher: London: Constable and Company Ltd, [1919]
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)