RACKHAM, Arthur (1867-1939). "The daughters of the Old Man of the Sea," original watercolor and pen and ink drawing, signed ("Arthur Rackham") lower left, [1922].
A dozen mermaids, on the rocks and with green hair streaming. In Hawthorne's adaptation of "The Three Golden Apples," Hercules's quest for the apples of the Hesperides, the children of the Old Man of the Sea are fifty mermaids. Although Hercules only hears a report of the mermaids, never meeting them, Rackham could not resist the subject matter. His edition of The Tempest would come out a few years later. Published: HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel (1804-1864). A Wonder Book. London: Hodder & Stoughton [1922], color plate at p. 118, captioned, "We do not think it proper to be acquainted with them, because they have sea-green hair and taper away like fishes" (a copy of the book is included with the lot).
370 x 270mm, watercolor, pen and ink on illustration board, titled in pencil on the verso. Matted, glazed and framed. The book is the first Rackham, limited edition, signed, one of 600 copies. Quarto. 24 color plates. Original cloth (corners bumped, light soiling); custom slipcase.
RACKHAM, Arthur (1867-1939). "The daughters of the Old Man of the Sea," original watercolor and pen and ink drawing, signed ("Arthur Rackham") lower left, [1922].
A dozen mermaids, on the rocks and with green hair streaming. In Hawthorne's adaptation of "The Three Golden Apples," Hercules's quest for the apples of the Hesperides, the children of the Old Man of the Sea are fifty mermaids. Although Hercules only hears a report of the mermaids, never meeting them, Rackham could not resist the subject matter. His edition of The Tempest would come out a few years later. Published: HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel (1804-1864). A Wonder Book. London: Hodder & Stoughton [1922], color plate at p. 118, captioned, "We do not think it proper to be acquainted with them, because they have sea-green hair and taper away like fishes" (a copy of the book is included with the lot).
370 x 270mm, watercolor, pen and ink on illustration board, titled in pencil on the verso. Matted, glazed and framed. The book is the first Rackham, limited edition, signed, one of 600 copies. Quarto. 24 color plates. Original cloth (corners bumped, light soiling); custom slipcase.
![RACKHAM, Arthur (1867-1939). "The daughters of the Old Man of the Sea," original watercolor and pen and ink drawing, signed ("Arthur Rackham") lower left, [1922].](https://devapim.christies.com/uat/lot-images/6173177/2018/NYR/2018_NYR_16392_0117_000(rackham_arthur_the_daughters_of_the_old_man_of_the_sea_original_waterc094721).jpg?maxwidth=3840)