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"The Ingoldsby Legends" (1907)

 

Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

 

 

"The Ingoldsby Legends" (1907) is an illustrated book based on the 19th Century collection of myths, legends, ghost stories and poetry

prepared by Richard Harris Barham (under the pseudonym of Thomas Ingoldsby of Tappington Manor).

 

The tales were first published by Richard Bentley and the Prefaces to the 1st and 2nd Series - by Ingoldsby (that is, Barham) continued

to provide interesting reading.

 

For "The Ingoldsby Legends" (1907), Arthur Rackham revised and adapted his illustrations to the Edition first published in 1898. His

'Prefatory Note' to the 1907 provides an outline of task, thus:

 

In 1898 Messrs. Dent and Co. first published the "Ingoldsby Legends" with about one hundred illustrations of mine.

This book has met with a very satisfactory reception, but the publishers have felt with me that, with the addition of

some new drawings, a careful overhauling would make it worthy of publication in a more important form, in which

greater prominence could be given to the illustrations by better and larger reproductions, including a greater

number of illustrations in colour.

 

To this end the following has been done:

The frontispiece and the coloured illustration facing page 508 have been specially

drawn, and all the other illustrations in colour have been worked on to a considerable

extent, and specially coloured for this edition. A few illustrations in the earlier edition

have been omitted, and in their place have been added those facing page 254 and on

pages vi, 25, 37, 316, 320 and 333.

 

Many of the pen drawings have been reconsidered and worked on again - those which

have been worked on to any great extent being now signed with both dates, 1898 and

1907. Of the rest, reproductions on a larger scale have been made in all but a few

cases, and the text has been revised and entirely reset for this edition.

Following Rackham's revisions for the 1907 Edition, the suite of published illustrations included 24 full colour plates, a further 12 tinted

illustrations and more than 60 monotone images.

 

The 'Publisher's Note' provides further insight into the revision process thus:

 

It has been the desire of the Publishers to here present the "Ingoldsby Legends" in

something like an "Edition Définitive de Luxe."

 

It has been carefully read with the edtiona finally corrected by the Author, and has been

re-set in a fine type, while Mr. Arthur Rackham, in his hundred illustrations, has entered

heartily into the wild humour and phantasy of this favourite old classic.

 

The coloured pictures, which owe so much to their delicacy of tint and fine line drawing,

have all been reproduced by the Graphic Photo Engraving Co. in the latest and highest

development of the three-colour work, and the Publishers owe them thanks for their great

care in copying these  originals and for their adequate and admirable results. The colour

printing has been done by Messrs. McFarlane and Erskine of Edinburgh, and the text by

the Ballantyne Press of London, to whom also the Publishers wish to acknowledge their

obligations.

 

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Cover to the 1907 of ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' illustrated by Arthur Rackham

To the left, we show a rare example of the 1907 Edition of "The Ingoldsby Legends" - as illustrated by Arthur Rackham.

That Edition was co-published by J M Dent & Co. (London) and E P Dutton & Co. (New York).

 

This copy retains the original gold-stamped green cloth cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the right, we show the illustrated

Title Page designed by Rackham.

 

Title Page for the 1907 of ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' illustrated by Arthur Rackham          

The published review in "The Bookman" (Vol. 26: Dodd, Mead and Company [New York]; 1908) provided the following comment on Rackham's illustrations:

 

A very elaborate and beautiful edition of this favourite classic, set in large type and with ample margins, and illustrated in the human

spirit of the text by that incomparable draughtsman, Arthur Rackham. The colour plates are printed in rich low tones, and their effect

is further enhanced by the dark green mounts.

 

 

Our Greeting Cards and Fine Art Posters showing Arthur Rackham's

artwork for the 1907 Edition of "The Ingoldsby Legends"

 

 

Greeting Card sample showing an Arthur Rackham illustration from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907)

 

 

For connoisseurs of Rackham's work, we have prepared sets of 24 Greeting Cards (approximately 7x5" on premium acid-free card stock)

displaying each of his full colour images for "The Ingoldsby Legends" (1907) and on the left, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards

appear.

 

 

 

 

 

Code: AR IL CS(24)
Price: US$120.00

   

When presented on Greeting Cards, these images are prepared as tipped-on plates - in 'hommage' to the hand-crafted approach

typical of prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century. Each card is hand-finished and the

images are presented on Ivory card stock with an accompanying envelope. The rear of each card carries information about

Arthur Rackham, this wonderful suite and the profiled illustration - we have left the interior of the cards blank so that you may write

your own personal message.

 

Should you wish to order a reproduction print of one or more of these images, we have provided some options below. Each of our

Fine Art Posters is prepared with archival quality papers and inks - and also accompanied by information about Arthur Rackham,

this suite and the profiled illustration.

 

To purchase, simply click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button and you will be taken through to our Shopping Cart secured through

PayPal. Multiple purchases will be consolidated by that feature and shipping and handling costs to any destination in the world are

accommodated by our flat-rate fee of US$20 for every US$200 worth of purchases.

 

Of course, should you wish to discuss some customised options, we welcome your contact on any matter through

ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.

 

In the meantime, enjoy perusing these wonderful images from Arthur Rackham.

Fine Art Poster sample showing an Arthur Rackham illustration from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907)

 

An example of one of our Fine Art Posters

in a superb 12x18" format

     

 

The colour illustrations by Arthur Rackham for

the 1907 Edition of "The Ingoldsby Legends"

 

 

Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Witches' Frolic' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - one of two colour illustrations for 'The Nurse's Story' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - one of two colour illustrations for 'The Nurse's Story' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'Grey Dolphin' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907)  

The Wiches' Frolic

Hey! up the chimney, lass!

Hey, after you!

(Frontispiece)

 

 

The Nurse's Story

There's an old woman dwells upon

Tappington Moor

 

The Nurse's Story

To Tappington mill-dam

Grey Dolphin

One kick! - it was but one! -

but such a one

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C1 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C2 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C3 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C4 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Ghost' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'Mrs Botherby's Story' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - one of two colour illustration for 'A Lay of St Dunstan' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907)

Arthur Rackham - one of two colour illustration for 'A Lay of St Dunstan' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907)

 

The Ghost

If Orpheus first produced the waltz

Mrs Botherby's Story

The little man had seated himself

in the centre of the circle upon

the large skull

 

 

A Lay of St Dunstan

If any one lied, - or if any

one swore

 

 

A Lay of St Dunstan

A flood of brown-stout he was up

to his knees in

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C5 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C6 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C7 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C8 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
Arthur Rackham - one of three colour illustrations for 'The Lay of St Odille' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - one of three colour illustrations for 'The Lay of St Odille' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - one of three colour illustrations for 'The Lay of St Odille' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'A Lay of St Nicholas' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907)  

The Lay of St Odille

And the maids cried "Good gracious,

how very tenacious!"

 

 

The Lay of St Odille

These stiles sadly bothered Odille

 

 

The Lay of St Odille

What, indeed, 'could' she do?

A Lay of St Nicholas

Into the bottomless pit he fell slap

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C9 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C10 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C11 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C12 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Lady of Rohessa' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'Hon Mr Sucklethumbkin's Story' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Ingoldsby Penance' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Babes in the Wood' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907)  

The Lady Rohessa

The Duchess shed tears large

as marrow-fat peas

 

 

Hon. Mr. Sucklethumbkin's Story

He bounced up and down

 

 

The Ingoldsby Penance

Tumble out of their beds

in affright

The Babes in the Wood

Wandering about and "Boo-hoo"-ing

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C13 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C14 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C15 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C16 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Dead Drummer' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Lay of St Cuthbert' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Lay of St Aloys' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Lay of the Old Woman Clothed in Grey' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907)  

The Dead Drummer

Or making their court to their

Polls and their Sues

 

 

The Lay of St Cuthbert

The horn ... Was blown with a

loud twenty-trumpeter power

The Lay of St Aloys

Witches and warlocks, ghosts,

goblins and ghouls

The Lay of the Old Woman

Clothed in Grey

Made one grasshopper spring to the

door - and was gone!

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C17 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C18 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C19 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C20 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Brothers of Birchington' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The Knight and the Lady' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'The House-Warming' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907) Arthur Rackham - colour illustration for 'Jerry Jarvis's Wig' from ''The Ingoldsby Legends'' (1907)  

The Brothers of Birchington

But found nothing at all, save some

carp - which they fried

 

 

The Knight and the Lady

Sir Thomas, her Lord,

was stout of Limb

The House-Warming

A grand 'pas de deux' - Performed

in the very first style by these two

Jerry Jarvis's Wig

When a score of ewes had brought in a

reasonable profit

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C21 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C22 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C23 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18")

Code: AR IL C24 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 

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The Prefaces to the 1st and 2nd Series of "Ingoldsby Legends"

 

   

"Preface to the 1st Series"

 

You wish me to collect into one single volume certain rambling extracts from our family memoranda, many of which have already appeared in the pages of your Miscellany.

At the same time you tell me that doubts are entertained in certain quarters as to the authenticity of their details.

 

Now with respect to their genuineness, the old oak chest, in which the originals are deposited, is not more familiar to my eyes than it is to your own; and if its contents have

any value at all, it consists in the strict veracity of the facts they record.

 

To convince the most incredulous, I can only add, that should business - pleasure is out of the question - ever call them into the neighbourhood of Folkestone, let them take

the high road from Canterbury to Dover till they reach the eastern extremity of Barham Downs. Here a beautiful green lane diverging abruptly to the right will carry them

through the Oxenden plantations and the unpretending village of Denton, to the foot of a very respectable hill - as hills go in this part of Europe. On reaching its summit let

them look straight before them - and if among the handing woods which crown the opposite side of the valley, they cannot distinguish an antiquated Manor-house of

Elizabethan architecture, with its gable ends, stone stanchions, and tortuous chimneys rising above the surrounding trees, why - the sooner they procure a pair of Dollond's

patent spectacles the better.

 

If, on the contrary, they can manage to descry it, and, proceeding some five or six furlongs through the avenue, will ring at the Lodge-gate - they cannot mistake the stone lion

with the Ingoldsby escutcheon (Ermine, a saltire engrailed Gules) in his paws - they will be received with a hearty old English welcome.

 

The papers in question have been written by different parties, and at various periods, I have thought it advisable to reduce the more ancient of them into a comparatively

modern phraseology, and to make my collateral ancestor, Father John, especially, "deliver himself like a man of this world"; Mr. Maguire, indeed, is the only Gentleman who,

in his account of the late Coronation, retains his own rich vernacular.

 

As to the arrangement, I shall adopt the sentiment expressed by the Constable of Bourbon four centuries ago, 'teste' Shakespeare, one which seems to become more

fashionable every day:

"The Devil take all order !! - I'll to the throng!

 

 

"Preface to the 2nd Series"

 

I should have replied sooner to your letter, but that the last three days in January are, as you are aware, always dedicated, at the Hall, to an especial 'battue', and the old

house is full of shooting-jackets, shot-belts, and "double Joes." Even the women wear percussion caps, and your favourite (?) Rover, who, you may remember, examined

the calves of your legs with such suspicious curiosity at Christmas, is as pheasant-mad as if he were a biped, instead of being a genuine four-legged scion of the Blenheim

breed. I have managed, however, to avail myself of a lucid interval in the general hallucination (how the raid 'did' come down on Monday!), and as you tell me the excellent

friend whom you in are in the habit of styling "A Generous and Enlightened Public" has emptied your shelves of the first edition, and "asks for more," why, I agree with you,

it 'would' be a want of 'respect' to that very 'respectable' personification, when furnishing him with a further supply, not to endeavour at least to amend my faults, which are few,

and your own, which are more numerous. I have, therefore, gone to work 'con amore', supplying occasionally on my own part a deficient note, or elucidatory stanza, and on

yours knocking out, without remorse, your superfluous 'i's', and now and then eviscerating your 'colon'.

 

My duty to our illustrious friend, thus performed, I have a crow to pluck with him, - Why will he persist - as you tell me he does persist - in calling me by all sorts of names but

those to which I am entitled by birth and baptism - my "Sponsorial and Patronymic appellations," as Dr. Pangloss has it? - Mrs. Malaprop complains, and with justice, of an

"assault upon her parts of speech:" but to attack one's very existence - to deny that one 'is' a person 'in esse', and scarcely to admit that one 'may be' a person 'in posse', is

tenfold cruelty; - "it is pressing to death, whipping, and hanging!" - let me entreat all such likewise to remember that, as Shakespeare beautifully expresses himself

elsewhere - I give his words as quoted by a very worthy Baronet in a neighbouring county, when protesting against a defamatory placard at a general election:

"Who steals my purse steals stuff! -

'Twas mine - 'tisn't his - nor nobody elses!

But he who runs away with the Good Name,

Robs me of what does not do him any good,

And makes me deuced poor!!"*

* A reading which seems most unaccountably to have escaped the researches of all modern Shakespeareans, including the rival editors of the new and illustrated versions.

 

In order utterly t squabash and demolish every gainsayer, I had thought, at one time, of asking my old and esteemed friend, Richard Lane, to crush them at once with his magic

pencil, and to transmit my features to posterity, where all his works are sure to be "delivered according to the direction;" but somehow the noble-looking profiles which he has

recently executed of the Kemble family put me a little out of conceit with my own, while the undisguised amusement which my "Mephistopheles Eyebrow," as he termed it,

afforded him, in the "full face," induced me to lay aside the design. Besides, my dear Sir, since, as has well been observe, "there never as a married man yet who had not

somebody remarkably like him walking about town," it is a thousand to one but my lineaments might, after all, out of sheer perverseness be ascribed to anybody rather than to

the real owner. I have therefore sent you, instead thereof, a very fair sketch of Tappington, taken from the Folkestone road (I tore it last night out of Julia Simpkinson's 'album');

get Gilks to make a wood-cut of it. And now, if any miscreant (I use the word only in its primary and "Pickwickian" sense of "Unbeliever,") ventures to throw any further doubt

upon the matter, why, as Jack Cade's friend says in the play, "There are the chimneys in my father's house, and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it!"

 

"Why, very well then - we hope here be truths!"

 

Heaven be with you, my dear Sir! - I was getting a little excited; but you, who are mild as the milk that dews the soft whisker of the new-weaned kitten, will forgive me when,

wiping away the nascent moisture from my brow, I "pull in," and subscribe myself, yours quite as much as his own.

 

 

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