The Tempest. Rackham, Arthur (Illus.); Shakespeare, William.

First Rackham edition, signed limited issue, number 266 of 520 copies, signed by Rackham. The limited issue includes an additional plate ("Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell") not present in the trade edition. A review published in The Bystander on 8 December 1926 noted that the book was "most exquisitely illustrated by Arthur Rackham, and some of the colour plates were the loveliest things of their kind that I have seen". "Three plates, 'Come unto these yellow sands'; 'The isle is full of noises', and the fine 'Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears', reach near perfection, and in so doing point a new quality in Rackham's work." (Gettings, p. 150). Latimore & Haskell p. 61.; Riall p. 161; Fred Gettings, Arthur Rackham, 1975. Quarto (285 x 228 mm). Finely bound by Zaehnsdorf in full brown morocco, spine lettered in gilt, raised bands, front cover lettered and with vignette in gilt, oak leaf design turn-ins gilt, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. With 2 colour frontispieces, 19 colour plates, black and white illustrations in the text, all by Rackham. Small abrasion to lower edge of front cover and minor mark to front cover: a fine copy.