Arthur Rackham: Aesop's Fables Limited Edition, No. 1103/1450

David Brass Rare Books, Inc., of Calabasas, California, offers a signed, limited edition of Arthur Rackham's exceptional Aesop's Fables (William Heinemann, 1912). 

The price is $3,250.

Title page

Signed limitation page, no. 1103 of 1450

I am most intrigued by the announcement of a 1912 exhibition of Rackham's original book illustrations at London's Leicester Galleries:

The North Wind and the Sun

The Oak and the Reeds

Arthur Rackham
AbeBooks listing accessed May 24, 2026

https://www.abebooks.com/signed/Aesops-Fables-RACKHAM-Arthur-illustrator-AESOP/32452382040/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=img

Arthur Rackham
AbeBooks item description

Arthur Rackham
AbeBooks store description

Note:  I was not able to attend the Arthur Rackham exhibition at Leicester Galleries in 1912 and neither were my great grandparents. Still, I might like to see the price list, from anyone who may have benefitted from art-loving great grandparents who were also pack rats.

Longtime readers may recall that I am also looking for a price list or catalogue from Peter Arno's 1932 exhibition at the Leicester Galleries.  

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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Illustrated by Arthur Rackham, No. 496/1130

Peter Harrington Antiquarian Bookseller  of London offers a rare copy of the 1907 edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Arthur Rackham. It is copy no. 496 of the limited edition of 1130, signed by Rackham who added a small drawing of the Mad Hatter in profile.

Arthur Rackham
AbeBooks listing accessed February 20, 2026

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/Alices-Adventures-Wonderland-RACKHAM-Arthur-illus/32394452246/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=viewbook

https://wise.com/us/currency-converter/usd-to-gbp-rate

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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: The Frogs and the Well

It's that time of year again for the Chris Beetles Gallery's annual exhibition "The Illustrators," which features the best of British illustration art from approximately 1800 to 2013. As in previous years, Chris Beetles has unearthed an extraordinary selection of illustration art new to the market. If past years are any guide, the best items will sell out quickly. Take, for example, Arthur Rackham's 1912 illustration of "The Frogs and the Well" from Aesop's Fables. It has already been snatched up, more than ten days before the exhibition officially opens.

http://www.chrisbeetles.com/exhibitions.html

Arthur Rackham, "The Frogs and the Well" from Aesops' Fables. London: William Heinemann, 1912, page 161

http://www.chrisbeetles.com/gallery/illustrations/frogs-and-well.html

Note:  Can anyone tell me the selling price?

There is more artwork by Arthur Rackham on the blog here.

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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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