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SIGNED LIMITED EDITION. 1 vol., 11-7/16" x 9-3/8", limited to 500 numbered and signed copies by the illustrator Arthur Rackham this being copy #243, illustrated with 16 tipped in color plates (titled tissue guards after each plate) and 70 B&W illustrations, bound in the original publisher's gilt stamped vellum, top edge gilt, others uncut, housed in a 1/2 gilt lettered & decorated, blue morocco clamshell slipcase. Plates clean, occasional light foxing to mounts, minor soiling to vellum, gilt bright, inner and outer hinges fine, covers straight and not bowed, no previous ownership markings, gift inscriptions, or bookplate, A VERY GOOD COPY. Rackham received his commission for this superbly illustrated edition of Malory's masterpiece (first published by Caxton in 1485) while World War I still raged?a fact that perhaps explains his illustrations' generally dark view of the Matter of Britain. From Arthur's first unsheathing of Excalibur in the midst of fierce battle beneath overcast skies, to his tragic clash with his traitorous son on the dark fields of Camlann, Rackham confronts readers with combat, conflict and death. Despite (or perhaps even because of) this grim realism within a fantastic context, "Rackham's work became balm for wounded soldiers, as one mother wrote: ' .When [my son] was getting better from very bad wounds. your illustrations of Books were his great joy and delight' (Hamilton, 112). Seller Inventory # 002227
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