The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie

London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1914. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 10" by 7.5". Arthur Rackham. A very pleasing copy of this stunningly illustrated copy of The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie The 1914 impression of the English translation of this popular opera by German composer Richard Wagner. Thanks to the accompanying stunning illustrations by Arthur Rackham, the world and characters in this opera really come to life, giving the reader a well-rounded experience that only the live performance could exceed. During the "Golden Age" of British book illustration, Rackham was one of its leading artists. He used expressive line paired with a subtle use of watercolour to create his beautiful images. This work contains examples of Rackham's ethereal figures such as his fairy tale characters and his grotesque and fantastic. Inscription in pencil to pastedown by previous owner: "With best wishes for Xmas and the New Year to Teddy Bear, H.M."  Containing 36 illustrations and coloured plates as well as frontispiece by Rackham. In the publisher's original brown cloth bind, with illustration and titles in gilt to front board. In the original publisher's brown cloth, with titles and illustrations stamped in gilt to front board and publisher's stamp to rear board. Minor shelfwear and faint age toning to rear board. Spine is slightly worn and starting to fade. With inscription in pencil by previous owner to front pastedown Internally, hinges are slightly strained to first and last few pages due to the type of binding, otherwise generally firm. Minor scattered spotting to first few pages, otherwise pages are clean, only slightly age toned. With frontispiece illustration by A. Rackham and complete with 34 illustrations and coloured plates. Very Good Indeed