The King of the Golden River
Published by George Harrap & Co. Ltd, London, 1932
- First Edition
- Signed
- Used





Seller: Swan's Fine Books, ABAA, ILAB, IOBA, Walnut Creek, CA, U.S.A.Swan's Fine Books, ABAA, ILAB, IOBA
AbeBooks seller since November 15, 2012
Condition: Used - Fine
£ 578.90
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
First edition with Rackham illustrations, one of 575 copies, octavo size, 48 pp., signed by Arthur Rackham. A perfect convergence of "one of the earliest English examples of a fantasy written specifically for a child" (which may have had a direct effect upon George MacDonald and, subsequently, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien) written by the truly brilliant writer John Ruskin (1819-1900), author, art critic, and social thinker. Ruskin wrote the story for the then twelve-year old Effie Gray, later to become his wife, who challenged her friend Mr. Ruskin to write a fairy story, as it was "the least likely task for him to fulfill" - he fulfilled it wonderfully, and the story has remained a favourite with children ever since. Wonderfully illustrated by the unparalleled Arthur Rackham (1867-1939), whose "imaginative eye saw all forms with the eyes of childhood and created a world that was half reassuring and half frightening" (n. b., quotes from Carpenter, "The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature", p. 294 and Houfe, "The Dictionary of 19 Century British Book Illustrators", p. 268). With four full-page illustrations in full colour and fifteen drawings in black and white by Arthur Rackham, this copy housed in the original publisher's slipcase (with the limitation number matching that in the volume), and with the original glassine wrapper. ___DESCRIPTION: Full limp vellum, gold lettering on the front, top edge gilt, fore- and bottom edges uncut, green pictorial endpapers, limitation statement on the verso of the half-title page, frontispiece a four-colour illustration, title page in red and black with vignette in the same colours, four full-colour illustrations (including frontispiece) throughout, the black and white drawings scattered through the text; octavo size (9.25" by 6"), pagination: [1-4] 5-47 [48], one of 550 copies, this number 287 (total edition 570, with 20 copies not for sale), signed by Arthur Rackham on the limitation page. In the original glassine jacket, housed in the publisher's plain original slipcase, paper spine label with brown lettering giving the title and illustrator, with the limitation number of 287 handwritten onto the label. ___CONDITION: Volume fine, the vellum binding clean and smooth, the corners straight and unrubbed, the text block strong and the hinges solid, the interior pages clean and bright with light foxing only to the endpapers, several signatures unopened, and entirely free of prior owner markings; some light dustiness to the top fore-edge corner of the text block, else fine. The glassine wrapper near fine with minor overall wear (no rips or tears), sunned around the spine. Slipcase near fine, strong and sturdy, without splits or tears, with light overall soiling and some edgewear to the paper spine label. ___CITATIONS: Riall p. 176; Latimore & Haskell p. 67. ___POSTAGE: International customers please note that additional postage may apply, please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions, we are here to help.…
Seller Inventory # 21082320
Bibliographic details
- Title
- The King of the Golden River
- Author
- Ruskin, John; Rackham, Arthur (Illustrations)
- Publisher
- George Harrap & Co. Ltd, London
- Publication year
- 1932
- Condition
- Fine
- Dust jacket
- near fine
- Signed
- Signed by Author(s)
- Binding
- Vellum
- Illustrator
- Rackham, Arthur
- Edition
- First and Limited Edition.
- Seller catalogs
- Children and Young Adult, Folklore and Mythology, Illustrated Books
Swan's Fine Books, ABAA, ILAB, IOBA
Walnut Creek, CA, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 2 to 5 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 3.75 | £ 13.11 |
Payment methods
Store description
Swan's Fine Books offers collectable and rare books in a wide variety of general interest subjects. While we specialize in illustrated books and fine press books, we have other books in many areas. Please browse our online collection, and visit our shop when you are next in the Bay Area!
Association member
Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.Seller's business information
Swan's Fine Books, ABAA, ILAB, IOBA
CA, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Abebooks web
sites. If you're dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as
Described/Damaged) or if the order hasn't arrived, you're eligible for a refund
within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you've changed your mind about
a book that you've ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to
contact us and we'll respond within 2 business days.
About us: Swan's Fine Books is a sole proprietorship and a member of the IOBA.
Questions or concerns may be addressed to the Proprietor, Laurelle Swan, by
telephone at(925) 935-1190 or by email at shop@swansfinebooks.com.
Swan's Fine Books is located at 1381 Locust Street, in Walnut Creek, CA, 94596.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Swan's Fine Books, ABAA, ILAB, IOBA, Walnut Creek, California, U.S.A., +1 925-935-1190, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 2 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, or if you wish the book to be sent insured, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required. California Residents: please note that applicable sales tax will be applied to the purchase of each book.