With an Introduction by A.A. Milne.
New York, Limited Editions Club, 1940
Wind in the Willows was last book illustrated by Arthur Rackham, published shortly after his death. The illustrations did not appear in a British edition until 1950.
'Slowly, the drawings for The Wind in the Willows neared completion. The last drawing of all to be completed was that of Rat and Mole loading their boat for the picnic. When he thought he had finished it, he suddenly discovered that there were no oars in the boat... He insisted that everything must be put right and with great labour he altered the drawing. After he had fished, he lay back in his bed and said "Thank goodness, that is the last one." And so it proved in every sense.' (Derek Hudson, Arthur Rackham his Life and Work).
First Rackham edition, limited to 2020 copies. 4to (29 x 21cm), 245pp., signed and numbered by the designer of the book, Bruce Rogers, 16 tipped-in colour plates (including frontispiece), title page vignette printed in green, the title and chapter numbers printed in gilt, green morocco gilt by the Chelsea Bindery, upper cover titled and blocked in gilt, panelled spine in six compartments, gilt lettered direct in second and fifth, raised bands, top edge gilt, others uncut, a fine copy.
'Slowly, the drawings for The Wind in the Willows neared completion. The last drawing of all to be completed was that of Rat and Mole loading their boat for the picnic. When he thought he had finished it, he suddenly discovered that there were no oars in the boat... He insisted that everything must be put right and with great labour he altered the drawing. After he had fished, he lay back in his bed and said "Thank goodness, that is the last one." And so it proved in every sense.' (Derek Hudson, Arthur Rackham his Life and Work).
First Rackham edition, limited to 2020 copies. 4to (29 x 21cm), 245pp., signed and numbered by the designer of the book, Bruce Rogers, 16 tipped-in colour plates (including frontispiece), title page vignette printed in green, the title and chapter numbers printed in gilt, green morocco gilt by the Chelsea Bindery, upper cover titled and blocked in gilt, panelled spine in six compartments, gilt lettered direct in second and fifth, raised bands, top edge gilt, others uncut, a fine copy.
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
