Undine. De La Motte Fouqué. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Adapted from German by W.L. Courtney. London: William Heinemann, 1909. Limited edition of 1000 copies, number 107 signed by Arthur Rackham.
Undine, penned by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué in 1811, is a captivating German novella about a water spirit named Undine who seeks to gain a human soul through marriage with a knight named Huldbrand. Set against the backdrop of a dark, haunted forest and later Huldbrand’s castle, this tale delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the supernatural. The novella is admired for its romantic fairy tale style and has been influential, inspiring numerous adaptations in literature and the arts. If you’re interested in romantic tales with a blend of mythology, “Undine” is a must-read.
Quarto, measuring 11.5 x 9 inches: viii, 136. Original full vellum, front board lettered and decorated in gilt with vignette by Rackham, spine elaborately ornamented in gilt, top edge gilt, other edges uncut, stiff brown endpapers. Half-title, with limitation signed by Rackham on verso. Title page printed in green and black. Frontispiece and fourteen full-page color plates tipped onto heavy brown paper with printed tissue guards; black-and-white headpieces and tailpieces by Rackham throughout text.
Some light foxing on the front and back covers and on the tissue papers that protect illustrations. Most pages are clean. The back silk tie is missing, front one is still intact but has a tear.
This edition is considered a standout work from Rackham’s peak period in the early 20th century.
