THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE: POEMS OF CHILDHOOD

London: William Heinemann, 1918. First edition. Near fine.. First printing of this collection of poetry for children alongside delightful Golden Age illustrations by Arthur Rackham - with a letter from Rackham to the assistant of art dealer and collector Alwin J. Scheuer. Arthur Rackham's name is synonymous with the Golden Age of Illustration, an association on full display in the beautiful color plates of THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE. But his talents were not confined to art: he was also a shrewd businessman who was eager to explore new ventures, particularly as his popularity declined in the UK in the 1920s. He traveled to the US in 1927 to establish connections with publishers and gallery owners, including noted collector Alwin J. Scheuer, with whom he corresponded extensively until Scheuer's death in 1934. Included in this copy of THE SPRINGTIDE OF LIFE is a letter from Rackham to Scheuer's assistant J. C. C. Taylor, discussing the sale of 23 pieces of original art. An interesting item that illuminates the relationship between children's book artists and private collectors. 9.75'' x 7'' (book); 7'' x 9'' (letter). Original green cloth with gilt lettering. Green topstain. Pictorial endpapers of a child and floral swag. Color frontispiece with tissue guard and seven color plates with tissue guards, black-and-white illustrations throughout. x, 134 pages. Ink shelfmark to front flyleaf. Autograph letter from Arthur Rackham to "Mr. Taylor" (Scheuer's assistant) dated 5 Feb 30 loosely laid in, "Here are the remaining drawings / for Mr. Scheuer. You will see there / are 23 of them. This number is reached / (instead of 16) because in several cases / there was more than one drawing on the / same sheet of paper. They are now / separated. In two cases there were two / drawings: and in one, six. / The above is now my permanent / home address to which all communication / had better be addressed, as I shall be / there much more than at my London / studio (where I can be, at any time, by / appointment). / I wish I had been able to get / these drawings to you before this and / I very much hope Mr. Scheuer has / not been inconvenienced. I need / hardly say it has not been possible to / do otherwise, but I am now back / at work again, and completely recovered / from my operation." Small, partially erased pencil note to lower margin of letter "For Mr. [erased] / with the compliments of Alwin J. Scheuer." Letter with tiny chip to lower edge, two shallow creases to center; light toning from adhesive to rear. Binding with mild bumping to corners and spine ends, a hint of sunning to spine. A bit of toning to front flyleaf. Clean and bright.