RACKHAM, Arthur (illus.); IRVING, Washington.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Rip Van Winkle. First Rackham edition, presentation copy, inscribed by the illustrator on the half-title "R. F. Starkie from Arthur Rackham 9 Oct 05." This is a family presentation: Rackham was married to Edyth Starkie, of an extended and notable Irish family.This title immediately established Rackham as the leading illustrator of lavishly produced gift books in the Edwardian era. In March 1905 the original watercolours were exhibited at Leicester Galleries, attracting the attention of J. M. Barrie, who then commissioned Rackham's next book, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (1906).

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