Derek Hudson

“ It is one thing to demonstrate the symbolism of a fairy-tale, which may plausibly be done, and another thing to use that information to psycho-analyse the illustrator. As a man’s character is always reflected in his work, we must be aware that Rackham’s sensitivity and the sweep of his imagination were both unusual. This biographical sketch presents the cheerful, methodical artist whom ‘all men knew’, but allows the psychologists to have their say elsewhere. ”

“ The enthusiast who cares to go even further can look for the many periodicals published during Rackham’s early professional years which contain his illustrations for stories and articles, sometimes in his characteristic manner and sometimes far from it. In journals from Little Folks to The Ladies’ Field his fine line may be recognized. Often his initials identify the work, but the drawings are not always signed, and a need for detective ingenuity creeps in when one encounters the initials of another ‘A.R.’ who was a block-maker and not an illustrator. ”

“ Since his death Rackham’s prestige in the book-collectors’ market has been fully maintained. It is understandable that such a prolific illustrator, who kept up a remarkably high standard of achievement over a very long period, should have become a focus of interest. ”

“ These Peter Pan prints should perhaps rank with Rackham’s original drawings as examples of his decorative work, rather than with his books. Rackham is one of the few English illustrators whose originals have sold readily. When he wrote a note to accompany his will, in 1934, concerning the relatively small number of his drawings still in his possession, Rackham was depressed at the state of the art market. ‘But the better drawings may well find buyers by degrees,’ he said, ‘the smaller ones not infrequently to book-collectors, rather than picture-buyers. ”

“ The series of de-luxe signed editions, originally published at two or three guineas, sold consistently well on publication and have appreciated considerably in value amongst collectors. Current prices (1960) range from £5 to £30 according to scarcity and popularity ”