Arthur Rackham

mounted and glazed

Leicester Galleries, October - November 1908, No 9, sold to E.L. Franklin; The Estate of the late Cyril Franklin; Christie's, 13 March 1992, lot 58

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Reproduced within Rackham's illustrated edition of A Midsummer Night's Dream (Heinemann, 1908) where the colour plate appears opposite page 130. The published volume included 40 colour plates. The title is from the speech made by Theseus, Duke of Athens in Act 5, scene 1:

Lovers, to bed; 'tis almost fairy time.
I fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn
As much as we this night have overwatch'd.
This palpable-gross play hath well beguiled
The heavy gait of night. Sweet friends, to bed.

Remnants of the original Leicester Galleries labels survive on the wooden backing. The exhibition ran from October through to November 1908.