The Rainbow Book - Tales of Fun & Fancy - Illustrated by Arthur Rackham, Hugh Thompson, Bernard Partridge, Lewis Baumer, Harry Rountree, C. Wilhelm

Book excerpt: ‘The Rainbow Book’ is a wonderful collection of children’s stories, written by M. H. Spielmann. It includes the tales of: ‘Adventures in Wizard Land’ (illustrated by Arthur Rackham), ‘The Little Picture Girl’ (Hugh Thomson), ‘The Sleeping Beauty’s Dream’ (Bernard Partridge), ‘The Gamekeeper’s Daughter’ (Lewis Baumer), ‘Cedric’s Unaccountable Adventure’ (Harry Rountree), ‘Father Christmas at Home’ (Arthur Rackham) and many more. Marion Harry Alexander Spielmann (1858 – 1948) was a prolific Victorian art critic and scholar, who was the editor of various magazines as well as a celebrated biographer. His works are still very much in demand, celebrated for their imagination and whimsicality. This book contains a selection of illustrations from some of the greatest artists of the Golden Age of Illustration. It showcases the drawings of Arthur Rackham, Hugh Thompson, Bernard Partridge, Lewis Baumer, Harry Rountree and C. Wilhelm. Although all fine artists in their own right, Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) is by far the most famous – whose work is quite simply, unparalleled. Throughout his career, he developed a unique style, combining haunting humour with dream-like romance. Presented alongside the stories, his, and the other artists illustrations, further refine and elucidate Speilmann’s enthralling narratives.