1905 Scarce Book - Goblin Market by C. Rossetti Illustrated by Dion C. Calthrop

Author: Christina Rossetti. Illustrated by Dion Clayton Calthrop.
Title: Goblin Market.
Publisher: London and Edinburgh, T.C. & E.C. Jack. no date (1905). First thus.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 6" x 5". 
Pages: 31 pages.
Binding: Attractive and near fine publisher's original pale grey cloth binding, elaborately stamped in gilt with floral and vine motif surrounding a mounted color plate on the upper cover; gilt title on spine (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. Upped edge gilt. A rare find in any condition.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown).
Illustrations: Illustrated with 4 vibrant full-color plates by Dion Clayton Calthrop, including frontispiece, all present. The illustrations are whimsical and richly detailed, complementing Rossetti’s mystical verse with charming scenes of goblins and Victorian maidens.

Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies of this edition available for sale worldwide).

The book: A lovely and scarce early 20th-century edition of Christina Rossetti's hauntingly lyrical narrative poem Goblin Market, originally published in 1862. This edition is particularly desirable for its enchanting illustrations by Dion Clayton Calthrop, which breathe imaginative life into the tale of temptation, sisterly devotion, and redemption. The golden Art Nouveau-style binding design is a visual delight, making it a collectible gem of illustrated poetry and early decorative publishing.

The author: Christina Rossetti (1830–1894), a leading poet of the Victorian era, was known for her deeply emotional, symbolic, and often religiously infused poetry. Her most famous work, Goblin Market, has been interpreted in many ways: as a Christian allegory, a feminist fable, or a sensuous moral tale. She was also the sister of Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and her work is often associated with that movement’s aesthetic.

The illustrator: Dion Clayton Calthrop (1878–1937) was a British author, stage designer, and illustrator known for his delicate and romantic visual style. His work on Goblin Market stands out for its dreamlike quality and attention to emotional nuance, capturing both the innocence and menace that underpin Rossetti's poetic world.