Arthur Rackham, Richard Wagner

An illustrated limited edition of Rhinegold And The Valkyrie, signed by Arthur Rackham.

• Richard Wagner (German).
• Illustrated by Arthur Rackham (English).
• London & New York: Heinemann & Doubleday, 1910.
• Illustrated by Rackham with 34 magnificent tipped-in color plates and 14 black-and-white images. 
• Part of an edition of 1150 numbered copies (this one of 150 for the US market) signed by Rackham, of the first volume in Rackham's version of Wagner's Ring Cycle.
• Original full gilt-stamped vellum, renewed silk ties. Typical offsetting to leaves facing brown heavy stock paper.

An ambitious and radical opera based on Norse mythology, Wagner's Ring Cycle captured the imagination of Europe from its first performance in 1876. Rackham's rich and brooding interpretations of Wagner's masterwork were beloved by the likes of C.S. Lewis, who called them "the very music made visible." Although already established as an illustrator of classic fairytales and books for children, Rackham designed this work for a mature audience; among the illustrations are a number of graceful female nudes.