1929 Rare Signed Edition #458 - The Vicar of Wakefield Illustrated by Rackham
Author: Oliver Goldsmith. Illustrated and signed by Arthur Rackham.
Title: The Vicar of Wakefield.
Publisher: London, George G. Harrap & Company Ltd., 1929.Signed limitation page present: this copy is numbered #458 within the English issue of 575 copies and bears the signature of Arthur Rackham.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 10.5 x 8 inches.
Pages: 231 pages.
Binding: Very good publisher’s original full vellum binding, decoratively gilt-stamped to front cover and spine, with delicate ornamental border and floral motif. Top edge gilt (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown, covers slightly bowed as often, with light natural handling and gentle toning to the vellum, presenting a soft, warm patina - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A handsome and desirable example of this classic Rackham production.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean,foxing mainly confined to preliminary and final leaves - as shown). Text block otherwise fresh, with wide margins.
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated by Arthur Rackham, including a colour frontispiece and eleven mounted colour plates, along with numerous line drawings. The illustrations are rich in detail and atmosphere, capturing the gentle humour and humanity of Goldsmith’s narrative with Rackham’s unmistakable style. All plates present.
Estimate: (USD 900 - USD 1,500).
The book: First published in 1766,The Vicar of Wakefieldtells the story of Dr. Primrose and his family, whose quiet rural life is disrupted by a series of misfortunes, loss of wealth, deception, and imprisonment, yet sustained by resilience, faith, and enduring affection.
This 1929 Harrap edition, issued in a signed limited printing, pairs Goldsmith’s timeless narrative with Arthur Rackham’s evocative illustrations. Bound in vellum and produced with notable care, it stands as one of the most refined illustrated editions of the work, sought after for both its artistic quality and its place within the golden age of book illustration.
The author: Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774) was an Irish novelist, poet, and playwright, best known forThe Vicar of Wakefield, a work celebrated for its gentle humor, moral insight, and enduring portrayal of family life. The novel has remained a classic of English literature since its publication in 1766.
The illustrator: Arthur Rackham (1867–1939) was one of the most celebrated illustrators of the Golden Age of Illustration. Renowned for his imaginative compositions and distinctive line work, Rackham brought a unique visual richness to classic texts, and his signed limited editions remain among the most sought-after illustrated books of the early 20th century.