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Sylvia Evans

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I have a first edition book. Midsummer nights dream ., 1908 with illustrations by Arthur Rackham. The book Is in pretty naff condition as I vandalised it some forty odd years ago. But I removed a lot of the prints and had them framed so enjoyed looking at them on a daily basis . So not really vandalised , more “ utilised” . The pics and tatty book have been in a box under the stairs for some years now . But I have project in mind , to build wheelchair friendly paths around our very large garden for when my lovely man eventually comes home , so hopefully will find a buyer for the pics. I am in the process of removing said prints from frames the prints are still in excellent condition though the pages they are mounted are brown and showing their 120 year old age. Has anyone any idea of value, or how to go about finding value. . E bay has the same pics only modern copies at varying prices . Any expertise or ideas would be welcomed . ......ta in advance . 😊.
Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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No idea, but i thought I would take the opportunity to ask how your hubby is after his contretemps.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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The book would have a considerable value if it were in one piece, but sadly it isn't - it would be worth a good deal more than the prints you've removed from it; I know that much, but as to how much - no real idea either of the value of the book, which is now irrelevant, or the prints. If you're thinking of anything astronomical, though, allow me to ease you gently back down to earth.... These are not original watercolours; they are probably very good prints, but they're still prints. Rackham has been published in hundreds of editions down the years - yours would have had value as a first edition, had you not removed the prints - without wishing to rub it in, it's the completeness of a collection that matters. Even in distressed condition, a 1908 first edition would have been worth a bit of money to a Rackham collector, but it sounds as if it's very distressed..... There is, or was, an Arthur Rackham Society; there is a Society of Antiquarian Book Dealers - I would make them your first port of call, or a specialist auction house if you can find one, dealing principally in old prints and books. Good luck with it, your wheelchair friendly paths (I know how difficult this can be from my landlord's struggles to adapt the environment as much as possible for his partner), and your husband's early return home.

Alan Bickley

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It is tragic, as Robert has already said, but what is done is done. Yes, a specialist book or antique print specialist may do the trick. Some years ago now, I had a very large leather bound first edition of Paradise Lost. (handed down to me). Probably as tatty as your book Sylvia, but it had some rather good drypoint etchings running through it. Beautifully hand-pulled prints bearing the impression from the plate (although rather demonic subjects as I recall)), each with its own fly-sheet for protection. I also, in a moment of utter madness, went and carved it up to sell the prints, about 40 in all. I cut mounts and backboards for each, enclosed them individually in cellophane sleeves. (similar to that sketch I sent you). I also had some small labels printed (ebay), giving the details of the book, age etc, and stuck this label to the backboard. I popped them on ebay, under antique prints/collectables, five or six at a time. There was a really good response, some from collector's/sellers who wanted the lot at a ridiculous price, but I started the auction at 99p and the response was great. In total, I cleared well over a grand although it did take around six weeks to clear them all. Probably too cheap in hindsight but there we go. Good luck with your prints Sylvia, and I'm sure that there will be some collector's out there just itching to get their little paws on them.

Edited
by alanbickley

Michael Robinson

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Just want to take this opportunity to wish you well with finding suitable buyers for these prints. Best wishes to you and your husband, thinking of you both.
GS Feb 2022

Gudrun Ståhl Sharpley

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I concur with my best wishes to you Sylvia on this rainy Saturday.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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Any nibbles yet, Sylvia? Keep us informed - I don't have any Rackham prints, and if I did - I think I'd keep them, if I could. I have some Brannon prints, though - well, two - he produced engravings of the Isle of Wight in the late 18th century; they were presented to me by a properly grateful Housing Association, which I chaired (I wanted cigars, but there we are...). I don't think I could bring myself to sell them, they mean a lot to me. I have wondered where they came from, mind......... I hope they weren't wrenched from a book, Sylv-vandal fashion...........