The Sleeping Beauty – C.S. Evans – 1920 | Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

This first edition of The Sleeping Beauty by C.S. Evans, published circa 1920 by J.B. Lippincott and William Heinemann, pairs a classic fairytale with the artwork of famous illustrator Arthur Rackham. Known for his imaginative and whimsical style, Rackham was the obvious choice of many Golden Age publishers to illustrate fantasy stories, folktales, and myths. The Sleeping Beauty’s black-and-white silhouette illustrations make this work especially desirable. While the style is distinct from his usual watercolor work, Rackham’s mastery of pen and ink illustration is highlighted in this 1920 edition.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Sleeping Beauty
• Author: C.S. Evans
• Illustrator: Arthur Rackham
• Publisher: Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co.; London: William Heinemann
• Edition: First edition, [1920]
• Binding: Pictorial hardcover
• Format: Quarto (4to), single volume
• Size: ~ 10.25in x 7.5in (25.5cm x 19cm)
• Collation: 110, [2]
• Illustrations: One tipped-in color plate, three double-page silhouette illustrations, and numerous in-text silhouettes
• Contents Include:
  • Complete text of The Sleeping Beauty
  • One tipped-in color plate
  • Full suite of silhouette illustrations
  • Three double-page illustrations
• Provenance: Handwritten inscription to Louise Gilbert from “Grammie,” M. L. Baxter, April 12^th, ‘21

Condition:

Very Good. Hardcover binding is secure with mild edgewear and some staining to the rear board. Interior pages are clean, with some scattered foxing to the illustrated endpapers. All plates are present and in excellent condition. Corners and spine ends show slight rubbing.

Why Collect This?

• First edition of a notable Rackham-illustrated title
• Pictorial binding and silhouette illustrations unique to this issue
• Sought after by collectors of Rackham, fairy tales, and early illustrated books

Item Number: # 31049