A Christmas Carol Illustrated by Arthur Rackham [Signed Limited Deluxe U.S. Edition #63 of 100]

Beautifully signed and numbered at limitation page by Arthur Rackham: "This Edition is limited to one hundred copies. This is No. '63, Arthur Rackham.'" Very attractive signature and numbering in fountain pen. Rare issue for Americans published by J. B. Lippincott of Philadephia. Appears to perfectly match Heinemann edition in design and materials. Publisher detail at copyright: "Printed in Great Britain." Unstated, but 1915 as other signed deluxe editions. Large 9 1/4" x 11 1/2" design. Cream vellum (leather) boards, gilt impressed cover design and titles, moderate shelf wear, fox, rub, discoloration; moderate bow to open end of cover as is common with these limited editions in vellum. Cover depicts whimsical mischievous elves hanging from bells among titles and decoration; sharp gilt spine titles and holly plant pattern with stylized "J. B. Lippincott Co." at heel. Illustrated endpapers of the greedy Scrooge and ebullient transformed character; some edge, corner wear, toning. Thick heavy stock rough-cut deckled pages generally very good. Light dampstain at back pastedown, back couple endpapers. Also, interestingly verso front endpaper is a faint watermark of windmill or similar; possibly from publisher, shop or original owner. Fine illustration plates mounted on dark green heavy stock matte leaves with borders. Includes eight full-colour plates and four additional rarities seldomly seen elsewhere by the ever enchanting artist, Arthur Rackham. Each with crisp tissue guards captioned in red. Eighteen b&w illustrations, couple of which are two-page spreads, decorative headers, vignettes, and tail pieces throughout. String-bind good, square; fully intact, uneveness to front hinge fold. Remnant of original gold ribbon set in back cover for future replication or other. Rare near good signed deluxe U.S. issue of this vibrantly illustrated Dickens' tale. In October 1843, Charles Dickens, heavily in debt and obligated to his publisher, began work to help his family's meager income. A Christmas Carol has long since become one of the most beloved in the English language. As much a part of the holiday season as holly, mistletoe, and evergreen wreaths, this perennial favourite continues to delight and rekindle thoughts of charity and goodwill. With its characters exhibiting many qualities often ascribed to Dickens himself, the imaginative and entertaining tale relates Ebenezer Scrooge's eerie encounters with spectral visitors. Journeying through Christmases past, present, and future, he is ultimately transformed from an arrogant, obstinate, and insensitive miser to a generous, warm-hearted, and caring human being. Written by one of England's greatest and most popular novelists, A Christmas Carol has come to epitomize the true meaning of Christmas. From preface: "I've endeavoured in this Ghostly little book to raise the Ghost of an Idea which shall not put my readers out of humour w/themselves, the season, or me. May it haunt their house pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it." - C. D. Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay and Sons, Limited, Brunswick Street, Stamford Street, S.E. Bungay, Suffolk. 147 pages. Insured post. Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.…