RACKHAM, Arthur.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Autograph letter signed, to John Taylor, together with seven greetings cards, four bookplates, and other material. An interesting letter in which Rackham writes to his agent and discusses drawing additional watercolours in books, together with his thoughts about terms. Letters by Rackham with business content are uncommon. John Taylor acted for Rackham in the 1930s and arranged business with clients in America.Rackham states he is glad to learn that Taylor is "going to carry on with Alwin Scheuer's business" but notes he does "not quite know what to say about the watercolour sketches in the books" since Scheuer had asked for a reduction in terms "on account of the depression... and the decrease in the value of the dollar and the duty on the imported books". Alwin J. Scheuer was a rare book dealer in New York with offices at 35 East 84th Street. He died on 15 April 1934, aged 52, and, evidently, commissioned Rackham to add original watercolours to books. Rackham had been paid "£8 & £5, for colour and black and white respectively" but notes he "would rather do my business with a proper regard to the conditions regulating the other party". Accordingly, he questions "whether the higher prices would really make it more difficult... to sell the books". Rackham acknowledges "it doesn't appear a very businesslike thing... to do my thinking aloud to you", notes "there are other American firms doing the same thing", and stipulates that "my prices must be the same for all". The proposed

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