This post returns us to the original idea behind the blog, reading or re-reading some of the books on the (admittedly former) Landing Book Shelves. I was prompted into this after we went to see this summer’s Shakespearian production from the Balally Players. This year it was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, an obvious choice for this season. It was just a pity that the weather refused to play along with the idea, as were almost rained off at one point in the performance. All credit to the company for carrying on regardless (and the audience sticking it out!) A cup of coffee and a slice of lemon drizzle cake at the interval helped us to cope with the resulting dampness.
Anyway, the upshot is that afterwards, I had a ferret around on the bookshelves, braving the inevitable dust, to retrieve a copy of the very play. I have had this edition for many years and at this stage its origins are lost in the mists of time. As you can see from my photos, it is an edition beautifully illustrated by Arthur Rackham (1867-1939). Sadly, the jacket is not in the best condition at all. It wasn’t perfect when I acquired it, but several house moves over the years probably have not helped. However, the book itself is still in very good condition and is a lovely book to handle and to read. Suffice to say that although this is a first edition, I doubt if it will make my fortune.
This edition was published from a book commissioned from Rackham by the New York Public Library’s William Augustus Spencer Collection in 1929. Calligrapher and novelist Graily Hewitt (1864-1952) produced the text, while Rackham designed the cover, page decorations and color plates. The work was released for publication by the Spencer Collection in 1977, published in the US by Abaris Books and in the UK by Weidenfeld and Nicolson. If you want to know more about the gorgeous items in the Spencer collection, the NYPL blog has lots of information.
This is rather a large book to read curled up on the sofa, so resting it on a table is the best approach. The calligraphy is so beautiful to read that it adds much to the experience of reading Shakespeare’s words. Of course, re-reading while the production was still fresh in my mind was an added bonus. I am just going to indulge myself by quoting a few lines from Puck (or Robin Good-fellow) at the end of the play, to close this post.
And I will just mention that I have not forgotten my new crime theme for the blog. More of this goodly matter anon.
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended, –
That you have but slumbered here,
While these visions did appear.…
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends. [Exit]