The Wind in the Willows

[RACKHAM, Arthur]. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. With an Introduction by A. A. Milne & Illustrations by Arthur Rackham. NY: Limited Editions Club, 1940. 4to, 246pp. Beige quarter-cloth stamped in gilt with marbled boards. 16 hand-mounted color plates. Spine ends a bit rubbed, upper corners bumped, lower corners lightly so, spine discolored (probably due to sunning) at top and bottom, upper right corner of pages lightly pushed (reflecting bumping to covers), evidence of cello-tape on front and rear free endpapers, else an internally clean, bright copy.

First Arthur Rackham-illustrated edition, limited issue, being one of 2020 copies signed and numbered by book designer, Bruce Rogers. Though Rackham had planned to sign the edition, he passed away before he was able to do so and the book was issued posthumously. This limited edition has all 16 of Rackham’s color plates, unlike the trade edition which had only 12. Rackham’s dazzling color plates highlight this wonderful edition of Grahame’s classic tale and serve as a fitting finale to his illustrious career.