Cinderella Illustrated by Arthur Rackham [Signed, Limited Edition No. 292]

Beautifully signed by Arthur Rackham and stated at limitation page: "This Edition de Luxe with an additional colour-plate is limited to 850 copies, numbered and signed by Arthur Rackham of which 525 (500 for sale) are printed on English Hand made paper, and 325 (300 for sale) on Japanese Vellum. No. '292.' 'Arthur Rackham.'" Number and signature appear to be in a fountain-like pen. Stated at copyright page: "London : William Heinemann, 1919." Larger 9 1/2" x 11 5/8" design. Full cream vellum boards with bit of marbling, gilt cover titles and Rackham bright and crisp gilded silhouette design of Cinderella on stool with broom. Sharp gilt embossed spine titles with falling mice vignette. Sharp clean corners and surfaces; small mark at spine. Interestingly, others with vellum covered boards appear to have seam at spine wrap; this example is full one-piece vellum for entire front and back covers and spine. Deep green front and back endpapers with white silhouette spread of dancing ball attendees. Beautiful hand made, thick deckled leaves, near fine, clean; no writing or shadowing bleed of colors or ink as found in other limited Rackham editions of this title. These leaves have a uniquely thick quality and appear to be truly hand crafted in a beige manila like appearance. Smooth cut gilded top edge. Tipped-in frontispiece. Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Includes the additional full-page colour illustration of Cinderella standing before giant orange pumpkin that would become the carriage. Several full-page spreads in colour over two pages. Illustrated throughout in a unique silhouette style; features b&w and several silhouettes decorated in red, gold, and black. Ultra rare near fine, signed example of this limited edition. From the great Golden Age of Illustration in children's literature comes this tale of Cinderella. One of the most famous and beloved of all the folk tale classics is adapted here by C. S. Evans in collaboration with Rackham to create one of the most wonderful editions of any fairy tale. Rackham creates a fantasy world of crisp silhouette images to depict step-sisters, footmen, nobles, and other characters from the fable of an orphan girl's transformation into a princess. Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) was one of the premier illustrators of the twentieth century. Throughout his career, he developed a very individual style that was to influence a whole generation of children and artists. His haunting humour and dream-like romance enhance the enchantment of Cinderella. "It is immediately clear that Rackham is a master of the medium (silhouette), being able to evoke character and humour by profile and gesture alone, and allowing the two dimensional effect of his pen work to lead the reader through the book and keep the story going." - Latimore & Haskell Printed at The Complete Press, West Norwood, London. 110 pages. Insured post. Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.…