A Christmas Carol Illustrated by Arthur Rackham [Signed Limited Edition #363]

London - New York: William Heinemann Ltd. - Doubleday, Page & Co., 1915. Beautifully signed and numbered at limitation page by Arthur Rackham: "This Edition is limited to five hundred and twenty-five copies, of which five hundred, numbered 1-500, are for Great Britain, Ireland and Colonies; and twenty-five, numbered 501-525, are for presentation. This is No. '363, Arthur Rackham.'" Very attractive signature and numbering in what appears to be variety of fountain pen. Publisher and year at copyright: "London: William Heinemann, 1915." Large 9 1/4" x 11 1/2" design. Cream vellum (leather) boards, gilt impressed cover design and titles, moderate shelf wear, rub, discoloration; some bow which is common with these limited editions in vellum. Cover depicts whimsical mischievous elves hanging from bells among titles and decoration; gilt spine titles and holly vignette with Heinemann at heel. Illustrated endpapers of the greedy Scrooge and ebullient transformed character. Thick heavy stock rough-cut deckled pages generally very good with attractive toning. Varying fox inside covers and at front, back few leaves. Fine illustration plates mounted on dark greenish-brown 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. Bind good, square; hinges intact. Remnants of original gold ribbon set in back cover. Scarce near very good signed deluxe issue of the classic Dickens' tale. In October 1843, Charles Dickens, heavily in debt and obligated to his publisher, began work to help his family's meagre 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. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. 147 pages. Insured post.. Signed by Artist. First Edition. Full-Leather. Good. Illus. by Rackham, Arthur. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.