COMUS

First edition with Arthur Rackham illustrations, first printing. Deluxe edition, signed by the illustrator. Original quarter vellum and paper covered boards with titles in gilt to the spine and upper board, as well as an illustration in gilt to the upper board. Top edge gilt. Illustrated endpapers and 24 beautiful mounted colour plates by Arthur Rackham, protected by lettered tissue guards, and multiple black and white drawings throughout the text. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, bright and fresh with a little natural toning to the boards. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's marks. All of the plates are in fine condition. Retaining the original plain glassine dustwrapper which is a little rubbed, nicked and chipped at the edges. A superb copy.

Issued in an edition of 550 copies, from which this example is numbered 550 and signed by Arthur Rackham in black ink on the limitation page. The publication of Rackham's illustrated 'Comus' was originally planned in 1915 but pushed back, due to uncertainties during the First World War, until 1921. 'Comus', an allegorical morality tale exalting chastity, was written by John Milton (1608-1674) in 1634 and was presented to the 1st Earl of Bridgewater at Ludlow Castle. The masque begins with two brothers becoming separated from their sister while travelling through a forest; the lady is enchanted and tempted with debauchery by Comus, the Greek god of revelry. The brothers are then visited by an angelic attendant spirit who summons the virgin nymph Sabrina to break Comus' spell. Victorious, the spirit sings a song that describes the celestial realm to which he will now return, including the idyllic garden of the Hesperides.