Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination

London: George G. Harrap & Co., Ltd., 1935. , 1935 Illustrated by Arthur Rackham, with twelve color plates, 17 plates in black and white, and illustrations throughout the text. Limited first edition. One of 460 numbered copies signed by Rackham, this being number 113. Large quarto. Original publisher's full vellum, decorated and lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, and pictorial endpapers by Rackham; in its original publisher's red cloth slipcase. Some light spotting to text block edges, else fine book; about fine slipcase, with light rubbing to corners. Overall, an exceptional copy, with bright and pristine illustrations. Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) was a prolific British artist and illustrator, best known for his deluxe editions of popular children's books. Artistically inclined since childhood, Rackham started out illustrating for newspapers, but it was not until he began drawing for children's literature that he received critical acclaim. In response to his burgeoning fame, Rackham's publisher, William Heinemann, began producing deluxe and trade editions of his illustrated works, the first being Rip Van Winkle in 1905. Deluxe editions were produced in a limited edition of numbered copies (ranging in quantity from 250 - 2,020), bound in vellum bindings, printed on handmade paper, and signed by the illustrator. The trade editions were published concurrently in simple bindings, on thinner paper, and with fewer color plates. This publication strategy benefited both publisher and artist; Rackham produced about one book per year and would have an annual gallery exhibition showing his original artwork for his latest book. This volume - Tales of Mystery and Imagination - is a posthumous collection of Poe's suspense stories and contains classic titles like, "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "Eleonora." . Signed by Illustrator. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine. Illus. by Rackham, Arthur.