1917 Rare First Edition - Romance of King Arthur, illustrated by Arthur Rackham
Author: Malory, Sir Thomas; Pollard, Alfred W.; Arthur Rackham, illustrator.
Title: The Romance of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table Abridged from Malory's Morte D'Arthur by Alfred W. Pollard. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham.
Publisher: New York, The Macmillan Company, 1917. First US Edition illustrated by Arthur Rackham.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 9 x 6.5 inches.
Pages: xxiv-517 pages + publisher's catalogue.
Binding: Attractive and near fine, remarkably well-preserved original dark green cloth binding with elaborate gilt decoration to the upper cover depicting Arthur mounted on horseback beneath stylized foliage, and gilt titling to cover and spine. Spine gilt bright and clear. The gilt vignette on the front board remains sharp and luminous (hinges fine - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A strong, square, tight copy—far better than typically found for this edition.
Content: Near fine content (bright, tight and clean, light toning - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with seven black and white illustrations and sixteen tipped-in colour plates by Arthur Rackham, each mounted on heavy paper with printed captioned guards. The plates include some of Rackham’s most atmospheric Arthurian scenes—battles, enchantments, forest visions, and dramatic encounters with dragons, giants, and spectral figures. Colours remain fresh, subtle, and beautifully preserved, capturing Rackham’s mastery of mood through mist, movement, and medieval detail. All plates present, clean, and securely mounted.
Estimate: (USD 450 - USD 600)
The book: This 1917 Macmillan First US edition of The Romance of King Arthur is one of the most beloved illustrated reinterpretations of Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. Alfred W. Pollard’s abridgement preserves the core knightly adventures, quests, betrayals, and miracles that define Arthurian legend while rendering the text accessible to modern readers.
Published at the height of Arthur Rackham’s mature period, the book exemplifies the partnership between richly romantic medieval narrative and visionary early-20th-century illustration. Rackham’s plates elevate the text with scenes of heroic combat, mystical forests, spectral warnings, and the tragic grandeur of Arthur’s realm. This edition, printed on thick paper with tipped-in plates and decorated gilt binding, remains one of the most attractive Rackham–Arthurian collaborations.
The illustrator: Arthur Rackham RWS (19 September 1867 – 6 September 1939) was an English book illustrator. He is recognized as one of the leading figures during the Golden Age of British book illustration. His work is noted for its robust pen-and-ink drawings, combined with watercolour, a technique he developed from his background as a journalistic illustrator.