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Free Library of Philadelphia collection of Arthur Rackham
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Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department [Contact Us]Philadelphia, PA 19103
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Arthur Rackham was born September 19, 1867 in London. He was considered an extremely versatile artist, providing illustrations for more than sixty-five works from authors as diverse as William Shakespeare, Jonathan Swift, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Charles Dickens, and Edgar Allen Poe.
His father, Alfred Rackham, was an admiralty marshal at the Ecclesiastical and Admiralty Courts. He worked in government all of his life and impressed on his children the importance of financial security. Arthur's mother, Annie, was from a family of lace manufacturers. Arthur was the fourth of twelve children and one of the few to survive to adulthood. As a teenager he was sickly and his parents decided to send him on a sea voyage to Australia as a remedy. During this trip he kept a detailed notebook and painted two dozen landscape watercolors. This was the first time he was able to concentrate on his artwork without pressure from school or his younger siblings.
On his return from Australia, at sixteen, he took a job as a clerk at the Westminster Fire Office as a means of paying for art classes and his share of the Rackham household. At this time he enrolled himself in night classes at the Lambeth School of Art. While working as a clerk he submitted drawings to different magazines. He was first published in Scraps and Illustrated Bits . In 1892 he quit his job at the insurance office and began working full-time for the Pall Mall Budget as a staff illustrator. While working at the Pall Mall Budget he covered the music hall, light opera, and an interesting Votes for Women meeting where he illustrated a fight that had broken out between the two sides. He then quickly moved to the Westminster Budget covering the same kind of events. Arthur Rackham commented that this was the worst period of his life where he often did work he did not like. It was also apparent to him that the "camera was largely going to supplant the artist in illustrated journalism" and his "prospects were not encouraging."
He received his first commission to illustrate a book in 1893 with a travelogue of the United States and Canada titled To the Other Side . He quickly received other commissions and illustrated his first children's book in 1897, The Zankwank and the Bletherwitch by S. J. Adair Fitzgerald. From this time until 1900 he completed illustrations for Tales from Shakespeare (1899), Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (1900), and Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (1900). His illustrations for Fairy Tales were exhibited at the Royal Watercolour Society in 1902 to critical acclaim. He published his most successful books over the next few years. These included Rip Van Winkle (1905), Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (1906), and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1907). For each of these publications his illustrations were exhibited before they were published, helping the sales of the books. He found success illustrating expensively produced gift books up until the First World War.
After the war, demand for expensive books declined greatly and in 1920 he expanded into the American market. He received almost three thousand pounds from one exhibition in New York. He also published three books solely for the American market. From 1922 to 1925, he also completed thirty drawings for the Colgate Company advertising Cashmere Bouquet Soap.
By the 1930s he was still producing some gift books but was completing numerous other works. Some of these include The Night Before Christmas (1931), Fairy Tales by Hans Anderson (1932), The Arthur Rackham Fairy Book (1933), and Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1935). In the late 1930s he was diagnosed with cancer and his health deteriorated rapidly. His last work was The Wind in the Willows , which was published posthumously in 1940. He died on September 6, 1939.
Bibliography
"Arousing Delight: Arthur Rackham, Artist and Illustrator," Clarke Historical Library, accessed December 13, 2011, http://clarke.cmich.edu/resource_tab/information_and_exhibits/arousing_delight/arousing_delight_index.html.
Children's Literature Review , vol. 57.
Hamilton, James. Arthur Rackham . New York: Arcade Publishing, 1990.
This collection contains correspondence, original artwork, and ephemera by or relating to the illustrator Arthur Rackham. Published volumes have been cataloged separately and are searchable via the main Free Library catalog. The collection is divided into four parts, Correspondence, Artwork, Ephemera, and Post-lifetime ephemera. The material dates from 1831 to 1996, but the bulk of the material is from 1890 to 1938. The collection includes examples of his work from his first publication, To the Other Side , until the end of his career.
The majority of the correspondence is written by Arthur Rackham, with one letter written by his wife Edyth. Artwork and ephemera make up the bulk of the collection. The artwork consists of original artwork for the many works he illustrated. There is a large amount of material from To the Other Side and a few items from his other more famous works including Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens , The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm , and The Arthur Rackham Fairy Book . The ephemera series is mostly printed greeting cards and some examples of his advertisements for the Cashmere Bouquet Soap campaign. The post-lifetime ephemera series includes auction catalogs and exhibition announcements.
This collection is arranged into four series: I. Correspondence; II. Artwork; III. Ephemera; IV. Post-lifetime ephemera. Series I. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. Series II-IV are arranged chronologically, with undated materials placed at the end of the series.
The majority of this collection was purchased by the Free Library from dealers, with some materials given to the Free Library by various donors.
This finding aid was entered into AT by Garrett Boos from legacy data compiled by the Rare Book Department. Each item was examined and description enhanced and standardized where necessary.
People
- Armour, Margaret
- Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870
- Edwards, Barbara
- Emanuel, Frank L. (Frank Lewis), 1865-
- Harris, Frank P.
- Jones, Catharine
- Latimore, Sarah Briggs
- McIntosh, Robert Dale
- McKay, Alexander
- Melville, Lewis, 1874-1932
- Osborne, Bertin
- Rackham, Arthur, 1867-1939
- Rackham, Edyth Starkie, 1867-1941
- Spielmann, M. H. (Mabel Henrietta), 1862-1938
- Von Blon, Marie Adele
- Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883
- Weather, Henry
Organization
- Christie, Manson & Woods.
- Columbia University. Libraries.
- George Routledge and Sons.
- Phillips Son & Neale (London, England).
- Sangorski & Sutcliffe.
- St. Louis Public Library.
- Swann Auction Galleries.
Subject
- Publisher
- Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department
- Finding Aid Author
- Finding aid prepared by Garrett Boos
- Finding Aid Date
- March 2012 (updated March 2021)
- Sponsor
- The creation of the electronic guide for this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources' "Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives" Project.
- Access Restrictions
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This collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
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The right of access to material does not imply the right of publication. Permission for reprinting, reproduction, or extensive quotation from the rare books, manuscripts, prints, or drawings must be obtained through written application, stating the use to be made of the material. The reader bears the responsibility for any possible infringement of copyright laws in the publication of such material. A reproduction fee will be charged if the material is to be reproduced in a commercial publication.
Collection Inventory
Self-portrait sketched at end.
Transcription laid in.
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Identification of recipient is tentative.
Transcription laid in.
With pencil sketches on verso, probably not by Rackham.
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Two pages of receipts and notes, related to letter, laid in.
Transcription laid in.
Transcription laid in. Recipient is possibly Frank P. Harris.
Sketch is a signed self-portrait.
Discusses depicting snow in Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens in postscript. Folder also contains correspondence from Macmillan & Co. Ltd. to Mrs. M. F. Vorwald, three pages with envelope.
Giving detailed comments on proofs of his Andersen's Fairy Tales .
Watercolor signed "Arthur Rackham 1890." Title supplied by dealer. Presumed to be unpublished.
Physical Description27 x 39 cm.
AR 1891--Recto. In artist's hand on back of board: "A Bend in the Semois. Sketch for black & white drawing in Pall Mall Budget, 16 July 1891."
Physical Description26 x 19 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "AR"; undated. To the Other Side originally published by George Philip & Son, 1893. Caption in book: "Dignity."
Physical Description28 x 20 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. To the Other Side originally published by George Philip & Son, 1893. Caption in book: "A Down-town station of the elevated railway." Inscribed in blue in side margin of drawing: "Elevated Railway Station."
Physical Description21 x 26 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. To the Other Side originally published by George Philip & Son, 1893. Caption in book: "Height--296 feet." Inscribed in blue in side margin of drawing: "Stony Creek bridge."
Physical Description26 x 37 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. To the Other Side originally published by George Philip & Son, 1893. Caption in book: "The Eagle Gate, Salt Lake City." Inscribed in blue below drawing: "The Eagle Gate, Salt Lake City."
Physical Description17 x 22 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. To the Other Side originally published by George Philip & Son, 1893. Caption in book: "In Salt Lake City." Below illustration in book: "From a Photograph by the Jackson Company, Denver." Inscribed in blue below drawing: "Salt Lake City."
Physical Description19 x 30 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. To the Other Side originally published by George Philip & Son, 1893. Caption in book: "Miners at home." Below illustration in book: "From a Photograph by the Jackson Company, Denver." Inscribed in blue above drawing: "Miners at home."
Physical Description23 x 30 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. Drawing done for To the Other Side , published by George Philip & Son, 1893, but not included in finished book. Inscribed in blue below drawing: "Pike's Peak." Two captions included in drawing: "The Summit, Pike's Peak" and "Pike's Peak carriage road."
Physical Description36 x 27 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. To the Other Side originally published by George Philip & Son, 1893. Caption in book: "'Pullman' sleeper.'" Inscribed in blue below drawing: "Sleeping car."
Physical Description27 x 20 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. Drawing done for To the Other Side , published by George Philip & Son, 1893, but not included in finished book. Inscribed in blue in side margin of drawing: "The Royal Gorge."
Physical Description27 x 20 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. To the Other Side originally published by George Philip & Son, 1893. Caption in book: "The Sentinel Rock, Yosemite." Inscribed in blue in side margin of drawing: "Sentinel Rock, Yosemite."
Physical Description27 x 21 cm.
Pen and ink wash drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. Inscription in Rackham's hand on accompanying note: "The Schoolgirl. 'And Monsieur, leaning on his spade, and looking into her bright face with his kindly eyes, says, 'Yes, Mademoiselle,--perhaps.'" Caption in book omits "The Schoolgirl." The Money-Spinner originally published by Smith, Elder, & Co., 1896.
Physical Description30 x 24 cm.
Pen and ink wash drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. Caption in Rackham's hand on accompanying note: "My Lord is young with George IV. He loses a fortune at play." Same caption in book. The Money-Spinner originally published by Smith, Elder, & Co., 1896.
Physical Description31 x 24 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham 98." Caption in Rackham's hand on accompanying note: "Make much of your steed, Robert Shurland! Make much of your steed!" The Ingoldsby Legends originally published by J.M. Dent & Co., 1898; published later by J.M. Dent & Co., 1907. This illustration printed in color in earlier edition, and in black and white in later edition.
Physical Description29 x 22 cm.
Tempera painting signed "Arthur Rackham"; undated. Published as black and white illustration by J.M. Dent & Co., 1900, with date of "98" on illustration. Published as color illustration by J.M. Dent & Co. in 1907.
Physical Description23 x 13 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham 98." Caption in Rackham's hand on accompanying note: "Then there was a pretty to-do. Heads flew one way--arms and legs another; round went Tickletoby." Same as caption in book. The Ingoldsby Legends originally published by J.M. Dent & Co., 1898; published later by J.M. Dent & Co., 1907. This illustration appears in slightly different form in the later edition.
Physical Description30 x 22 cm.
Pencil sketch signed "AR." The Ingoldsby Legends originally published by J.M. Dent & Co., 1898; published later by J.M. Dent & Co., 1907 with color illstration rather than black and white illustration. Caption in book: "Wandering about and boo-hooing."
Physical Description88 x 85 mm.
Pencil sketch signed "AR." The Ingoldsby Legends originally published by J.M. Dent & Co., 1898; published later by J.M. Dent in 1907 with color illustration rather than black and white illustration. Caption in book: "Wandering about and boo-hooing."
Physical Description12 x 9 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham 1900." Accompanied by exhibition loan ticket: "Board of Education, South Kensington, Victoria and Albert Museum, Loan Exhibition of Modern Illustration, 1900." Signed "Arthur Rackham." Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm originally published by Freemantle & Co., 1900; published by Constable & Company, 1909 and by William Heinemann, 1925. Caption in book: "Flounder, flounder in the sea, Prythee, hearken unto me."
Physical Description13 x 18 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham 1900." Accompanied by note in Rackham's hand: "Grimm. Iron Hans (1). She immediately clutched at his cap to pull it off." Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm originally published by Freemantle & Co., 1900; published by Constable & Company, 1909 and by William Heinemann, 1925.
Physical Description25 x 16 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "Arthur Rackham '02." Revised version of this illustration later appeared in Fairy Tales, published by George G. Harrap & Co., 1932. No caption. Inscribed at bottom of illustration: "Little tin soldier."
Physical Description27 x 22 cm.
Watercolor signed "Arthur Rackham 03." Inscribed below signature: "Talyllyn." Published in The International Studio, volume 25, number 99, May 1905 with caption "The lakeside: evening." Label attached to back of frame, in Rackham's hand: "8. The Lakeside, Evening. Arthur Rackham, Primrose Hill Studios, Fitzroy Road, Regent Park Road, N.W." Label attached to back of frame: "Royal Society of Painters in Water (possible Water Colour)," 5a Pall Mall East, London, S.W." Inscribed: "Walter R. Rea, Esq., 21 Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead." Measurement from portion of painting visible in frame. Framed.
Physical Description18 x 27 cm.
Caption: "Soon the needles ceased to move, and as she walked her gaze was fixed upon the distant valley."
Physical Description30 cm.
Watercolor signed "Arthur Rackham, 1904." Inscription on verso, presumed to be unpublished.
Physical Description17 x 22 cm.
Watercolor signed "Arthur Rackham 06." Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens originally published by Hodder and Stoughton, 1906. Caption on guardsheet: "An afternoon when the gardens were white with snow." Measurement from portion of painting visible in frame. Framed.
Physical Description26 x 35 cm.
Pen and ink drawing, signed "Arthur Rackham. 06". Published by Hodder & Stoughton in 1906.
Physical Description18 x 24 cm.
Pen and ink wash drawing signed "Arthur Rackham 08." A Midsummer Night's Dream originally published by William Heinemann in 1908. Illustration used as headpiece for Act I, scene II. Inscribed on back of original mat: "Exhibited at the Leicester Galleries October 1908 (Number 52 in the Catalogue & purchased by Miss Power)."
Physical Description16 x 22 cm.
Pen and ink, watercolor, and wash on paper, signed "A Rackham." Trimmed lettering in top and bottom margins: "Nights Dream" and "Illustrated by." A Midsummer Night's Dream published by William Heinemann, 1908.
Physical Description12 x 16 cm.
Watercolor signed "A Rackham"; undated. Originally published by Freemantle & Co., 1900 as black and white illustration with caption given in "List of illustrations" as: "Then the Seven Ravens came in and began to look at their plates and cups." Published by Constable & Co., 1909 as color illustration, with caption on accompanying guardsheet: "But they said one after another: 'Halloa! who has been eating off my plate? Who has been drinking out of my cup?" Measurement from portion of painting visible in frame. Framed.
Physical Description24 x 20 cm.
Watercolor signed "A Rackham"; undated. Originally published as black and white illustration by Freemantle & Co., 1900. Published as color illustration by Constable & Company, 1909 with date on illustration. "1900 - 1909." Caption in book: "Hansel put out a knuckle-bone."
Physical Description22 x 15 cm.
Self-portrait in pen and ink on recto, unsigned. Fragmentary sketch in pen and ink on verso, including sketch of a hinge.
Physical Description13 x 8 cm.
Original, signed pen and ink drawing for page 205 of Aesop's Fables; includes original board backing with information.
Physical Description18 cm.
Aesop's Fables page 23
Physical Description25 cm.
Watercolor signed "Arthur Rackham"; undated. "The Yellow Butterfly of Chiddingfold Manor" originally published in The Delineator, December 1916. Caption in story: "He led us from one suspense to another; till we were afraid to look round."
Physical Description36 x 27 cm.
Watercolor signed "A Rackham"; undated. Little Brother & Little Sister originally published by Constable & Co., 1917. Illustration in book is black and white. No caption.
Physical Description16 x 18 cm.
Pen and ink drawing of cherub signed "AR." Inscription on recto: "To Edmund Gosse, 1 June 1918, with kind regards from Arthur Rackham."
Physical Description10 x 8 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "A Rackham"; undated. Caption in Rackham's hand below drawing: "What part do I get then after all those kicks?" Snickerty Nick originally published by Moffat, Yard & Co., 1919. Caption in book: "What part do I get after all those kicks?"
Physical Description27 x 21 cm.
Watercolor signed "AR" and "Arthur Rackham"; undated. The Wonder Book originally published by Hodder & Stoughton, 1922. This illustration appeared with coloring revised. Caption in book: "In a roar of merriment till bedtime."
Physical Description25 x 19 cm.
The word "Menu" is printed; everything else inscribed.
Physical Description16 x 11 cm.
Pen and ink drawing signed "Arthur Rackham"; undated. The Chimes orignally published by The Limited Editions Club, 1931. No caption for this illustration. In Rackham's hand on back of original mat: "Return to A. Rackham, Stilegate, Limpsfield, Surrey."
Physical Description28 x 19 cm.
Pen and ink drawing of seahorse signed "A Rackham." The Compleat Angler published by George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., 1931. No caption for this illustration.
Physical Description25 x 15 cm.
Watercolor signed "AR"; undated. Fairy Tales originally published by George G. Harrap & Co., 1932. Ill. in book is black and white. No caption.
Physical Description13 x 26 cm.
Two drawings in white on black background. Two pencil sketches of the same subjects. Note in pencil signed "AR": "For gold corners. These will need reducing a little. Reduce the owl a little more than the cat so that they tell about the same size. And repeat, reversed, facing the other way at bottom corners. Fairy Book." It doesn't appear that these drawings were used in the published book, although the cover illustration of an owl is similar to this owl drawing. Inscription "Goblin Market" has been scribbled out. Housed with an American edition of The Arthur Rackham Fairy Book.
Pen and ink drawing signed "Arthur Rackham"; undated. Tales of Mystery & Imagination originally published by George G. Harrap & Co., 1935. Caption in book: "In their sad and solemn slumbers with the worm." Additional fragmentary sketch found on original backing of drawing; matted separately.
Physical Description29 x 18 cm.
Watercolor signed "A Rackham"; undated. Peer Gynt originally published by George G. Harrap & Co., 1936. Caption in book: "Aase on the mill-house roof." Measurement from portion of painting visible in frame. Framed.
Physical Description33 x 23 cm.
Pen and ink sketch signed: "Arthur Rackham." Inscription below sketch: "Sketch of a soldier & a dog going around a corner."
Physical Description9 x 12 cm.
Appears that title, signature, and black outline drawings are a photographic reproduction that has had watercolor applied over it, possibly by Rackham, but probably done much later. Originally laid in a deluxe limited edition of Rip Van Winkle. Rip Van Winkle originally published by William Heinemann in 1905.
Physical Description28 x 22 cm.
Watercolor signed "Arthur Rackham"; undated. Presumed to be unpublished. On back of original mat: "Witches' Meeting. To be returned to: Arthur Rackham, Stilegate, Limpsfield, Surrey."
Physical Description38 x 27 cm.
Greeting cards are mostly housed individually, some include recipient's name.
Punch almanack for 1907. Plate is matted. Printed in red and black. Includes calendar for 1907.
Plate published 1909 in Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Plate is matted.
Color illustration is laid in. Exhibition announcement is laid in.
Advertisement for Cashemere Bouquet Soap, made by Colgate & Co. At head: March 1924, Ladies' Home Journal. Advertisement is matted. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 238.
Advertisement for Cashmere Bouquet Soap, made by Colgate & Co. Taken from unknown periodical. "May 1924"--Inscription on mat. Advertisement is matted. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 238.
Advertisement for Cashmere Bouquet Soap, made by Colgate & Co. Taken from Asia , volume 25, number 10 (October 1925); spine of journal attached. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 238.
Specially drawn for the Proprietors of Eno's 'Fruit Salt' by Arthur Rackham. Taken from Punch , July 11, 1928. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 228. Advertisement is matted.
Illustration is from "To Bethlehem: a Christmas masque," by Laura Spencer Portor. Published in Woman's Home Companion, volume 48, number 12, Dec. 1931. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 231.
Accompanied by proof sheet with same color illustration "This box was specially designed for Cadbury Bros. Ltd. by Arthur Rackham." Date cf. Riall. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 238.
Dust jacket. Publisher's advertisements on front and back turn-ins; indicate publication date of 1934 or later. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 125.
Inscription on verso: "A scene from 'Hansel and Gretel,' Cambridge Theater, London, February, 1934. The Times, Copyright." Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 239. Set and costumes designed by Arthur Rackham; cf. Riall.
Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 242.
Includes original typescript, proof sheets, and notes and corrections. One printed sheet with illustration by Arthur Rackham.
Photograph possibly taken from journal article. Photograph is matted.
Proof sheet. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 240.
Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 240. Bookplates designed for Eugene Grosman, G. L. Lazarus, and Arthur Rackham's own book collection.
Courtesy of Scott and Fowles.
Probably an advertisement for Cashmere Bouquet Soap, made by Colgate & Co. Taken from unknown periodical. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 238.
"A Little Oriental Rug: A Modern Fairy Tale," by C.J. Wills; from Pall Mall Magazine, December 1905, pages 761-770. "Barracks Babies," by Christian Dale (library has 2 copies); from The Quiver, March 1898, page 406-410. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, pages 228-229.
Illustration of woman and child from unknown publication.
"The New Baltic and North Sea Canal," by Thomas Rhodes, illustrated by Arthur Rackham; from The Supplement to the Liverpool Shipping Telegraph and Daily Commercial Advertiser , May 25, 1895. "The Three Owls" edited by Anne Carroll Moore (about Rackham's early work); from the New York Herald Tribune Books , December 18, 1927. Riall, R. Arthur Rackham, page 227.
Two copies of an invitation to the exhibition opening (one with inscribed envelope), one printed flyer advertising the exhibition, and one excerpt from The New Yorker , December 9, 1967, with a review of the exhibition on pages 54-55.
Card illustrated by Barbara Edwards, daughter of Arthur Rackham. Signed "John & Barbara Edwards."
Exhibition held in conjunction with Children's Media Conference: Literature and Film. St. Louis Public Library, May 7, 1979, page 4 of cover.
Includes color illustration on cover, one color illustration in text by Arthur Rackham; portrait of Rackham on page 2 of cover along with biographical sketch.