1931 First Edition - The Night Before Christmas Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

A beautifully preserved First American Edition of Clement C. Moore’s beloved Christmas classic, illustrated by Arthur Rackham with four enchanting colour plates, delightful pen-and-ink drawings, and charming pictorial endpapers.

Author: Clement Clarke Moore. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham.
Title: The Night Before Christmas.
Publisher: Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1931.
Edition: First American Edition illustrated by Arthur Rackham. 
Language: English.
Pages: 35 pages.
Size: 9 x 5.5 inches.
Binding: Near fine original green publisher’s cloth binding, with a large pictorial paper label to the front board depicting Santa Claus carrying his sack of presents among holly leaves and berries. The cloth is exceptionally fresh, with only minimal signs of handling and very light wear to the extremities. Without dust jacket. Protected in a removable mylar cover. 
Content: Near fine, exceptionally clean and beautifully preserved content, printed on substantial paper with untrimmed edges. Complete, with the original decorative red-and-white pictorial endpapers featuring children dancing among stylized Christmas trees. The illustrations and typography retain their original freshness.
Illustrations: Complete with all four full-page colour plates by Arthur Rackham, including the frontispiece, together with numerous charming black-and-white drawings and decorative vignettes throughout the text.

Estimate: $250–325 USD.

The book:

First published anonymously in 1823 under the title A Visit from St. Nicholas, Clement Clarke Moore’s The Night Before Christmas became one of the most cherished poems in American literature. Its memorable account of a mysterious Christmas Eve visitor, his sleigh drawn by eight reindeer, and the delighted household awaiting his arrival helped establish the familiar image of Santa Claus that endures today.

This attractive 1931 First American Edition, published by J. B. Lippincott, presents the celebrated poem through Arthur Rackham’s wonderfully imaginative illustrations. His interpretation brings a distinctly whimsical and sometimes mischievous character to the familiar Christmas story, with playful elves, sleeping children, atmospheric winter landscapes, and a particularly memorable depiction of Santa Claus surrounded by his curious assortment of toys. The four colour plates are complemented by delicate pen-and-ink drawings, beautifully arranged typography, and striking red-and-white decorative endpapers. A particularly well-preserved copy of one of Rackham’s most appealing later illustrated works.

The illustrator:

Arthur Rackham (1867–1939) was one of the foremost British illustrators of the Golden Age of Illustration, celebrated for his unmistakable blend of fantasy, delicate linework, and imaginative characterisation. His illustrations for Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream helped establish his international reputation and remain among the most admired achievements in illustrated literature.

Published in 1931, The Night Before Christmas belongs to Rackham’s later career and demonstrates his remarkable ability to combine the familiar comforts of childhood with the imaginative world of folklore and fantasy. His lively little elves, expressive figures, and richly atmospheric compositions give Moore’s timeless poem a personality entirely his own, making this edition a delightful addition to any collection of illustrated books or Christmas literature.