RHINEGOLD AND THE VALKYRIE [with] SIEGFRIED AND THE TWILIGHT OF THE GODS. The Ring of Niblung: A Trilogy with a Prelude.

First edition, first printing with these illustrations. Deluxe edition. Signed by the artist. Two volumes. Early to mid 20th century full red morocco bound by J. May of London, the upper and lower boards ruled and with decorative corner pieces in gilt. Five raised bands with gilt decorated compartments and titles in gilt to the spine. Inner dentelles double ruled in gilt, binder's stamp in gilt. Housed in a twin entry, ribbon pull, red cloth slipcase. Illustrated with 64 full-page, tissue guarded, coloured plates, 23 drawings in black and white throughout the two volumes. The bindings are square and firm with very slight fading to thin strips near the spine edge, the gilt bright and fresh. The contents, with offsetting and toning to the text pages from the mount card used for the colour plates are entirely complete and without tears or previous owners' marks. The lower left corner of three plates in Siegfried have a very faint corner crease, otherwise all plates, tissue guards and illustrations are in fine, bright condition.

Both volumes were issued in this deluxe large paper limited edition of 1100 copies, from which Rhinegold and the Valkyrie is numbered 212, and Siegfried and the Twilight of the Gods is numbered 244. Both are signed by Arthur Rackham in black ink on the limitation page. A beautifully presented, signed set of Arthur Rackham's celebrated visual interpretation of Richard Wagner's Ring cycle.