HAWTHORNE’S WONDER BOOK, ILLUSTRATED AND SIGNED BY RACKHAM
(RACKHAM, Arthur). HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel. A Wonder Book. London, New York, Toronto: Hodder & Stoughton, [1922]. Quarto, modern full navy morocco gilt, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $3000.
Signed limited first Rackham edition, number 128 of 600 copies signed by Arthur Rackham, with 24 full-page illustrations in color (16 mounted) and 20 drawings in black and white.
Originally published in 1876, Hawthorne's collection of classical myths "rendered into very capital reading for children" includes the stories of the Gorgon's head, King Midas and Pandora among others. Featuring beautiful and occasionally haunting imagery, this volume is perhaps best known for featuring the "anthropomorphized trees by which [Rackham] is best remembered" (Carpenter, 440). Riall, 146. Lattimore & Haskell, 55.
A few illustrations with marginal creases. An about-fine copy.