Siegfried & The Twilight of the Gods with Illustrations by Arthur Rackham

New York: Garden City Publishing , 1939. Stated at copyright: Garden City Publishing, 1939. Tan cloth boards, gilt impressed spine titles, blind-stamped cover vignette, light shelf wear. Pages near fine; few with slight fox. Decorated endpapers w/floating fairies in outlines of monochromatic green. Antiquarian bookplate at front endpaper: "Robert Fontenelle." Plate features dramatic sepia scene of sailing vessel on stormy seas with decorative borders. Above this small penned date: "9/25/43, Chicago." Bind fine, square and intact. Illustrated throughout with the epic, richly colored imagery of the saga by Arthur Rackham on two dozen richly colored and smooth coated plates. Additionally, headers, vignettes and tailpieces adorn throughout. Rare dust wrapper in gold, white and black with stylized cover and spine titles; moderate edge wear, rub, discoloration; protected in new clear sleeve. Front panel features bordered Rackham illustration: "Nothung! Nothung! Conquering sword!" Front flap features summary of this title and available editions. Very good first edition thus of in good wrapper. Works based on characters from the Norse sagas, and translated here into English by Margaret Armour. The saga concludes here with: "Siegfried" - the second day of the trilogy: and "The Twilight of the Gods" - the third day of the trilogy. Initially establishing his reputation as a romantic composer, Wagner revolutionized opera through his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk (‘total work of art’), by which he sought to synthesise the poetic, visual, musical and dramatic arts. This edition of "Siegfried and The Twilight of the Gods" is heightened by the dazzling color illustrations of a master of the craft, Arthur Rackham. One of the most celebrated painters of the British Golden Age of Illustration (1850 until the start of the First World War), Rackham’s artistry is unparalleled. Throughout his career, he developed a unique style, combining haunting humour with dream-like romance. Presented alongside the text, his illustrations further refine and elucidate Wagner’s captivating storytelling. Printed in Great Britain by William Clowes and Sons, Limited, Duchy Street, Stamford Street, London, and at Beccles. 182 pages of text with two dozen plates throughout. Insured post.. First Edition Thus. Hard Cover. Very Good/Good. Illus. by Rackham, Arthur. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.