Isabel Hartley's Copy of Rip Van Winkle by Arthur Rackham, Signed Copy No. 161/250

The 1905 London edition of Rip Van Winkle was published by William Heinemann. The book cover proudly boasts that Arthur Rackham is the illustrator while not even mentioning author Washington Irving, who first published the story in America in 1819. Copy no. 161 of Rackham's signed, limited edition of 250 belonged to one Isabel Hartley according to her bookplate. This copy acquired an original Rackham ink sketch of the title character dated June 1933. The volume is now available from Different Drummer Books of Niantic for $12,500—plus a modest $8.50 shipping.

Arthur Rackham
AbeBooks listing accessed April 14, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed/Rip-Winkle-Irving-Washington-Illustrated-Arthur/32179138764/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=readmore

Arthur Rackham
AbeBooks item description

October 11, 2025 Update:  Price drop!

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Arthur Rackham: Long Stories of Ghosts, Witches and Indians

Illustrator Arthur Rackham's 1916 book illustration tells the story of telling a story. Note that the light source is pretty close to the viewer's vantage point, as if we ourself are holding the candle or sitting directly in the fireplace.

Arthur Rackham, Long Stories of Ghosts, Witches and Indians, Washington Irving, Rip Van Winkle,
London: William Heinemann, 1916, page 5

http://www.chrisbeetles.com/gallery/children/long-stories-ghosts-witches-and-indians.html

Note:  Arthur Rackham appears on the blog here.

My Halloween posts are here.

The baseball season is over, but the blog posts remain here.

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