Arthur Rackham Cultivates Henley’s London Verse Bouquet

Spanning over 500 years of verse, editor William Ernest Henley curated an anthology of 71 poems celebrating London for A London Garland. Ranging from Geoffrey Chaucer in the 15th century to contemporary Victorian poets, over 50 bards are represented including Matthew Arnold, William Wordsworth, and Henley himself. The chronological arrangement allows readers to traverse the city’s changes while noting literary traditions persisting through the ages.

Don’t let this rich literary and artistic trove slip away–secure your edition documenting two creative zeniths!

Buy A London Garland

1895 poetry anthology spanning 5 centuries of verse about London, with Arthur Rackham joining esteemed illustrators.

Rackham contributes his fantastical style to a William Blake poem plate
Showcases the mastery of British artists and printers from The Yellow Book circle
A pinnacle collaborative work celebrating London through ages of seminal words and images
Essential for devotees of Rackham, Henley, Victorian illustration, or the city itself

Beyond the poetry, A London Garland holds special value for its wide array of period illustrations illuminating various printing techniques prominent in the 1890s Arts & Crafts movement. Arthur Rackham’s imaginative mastery represents just one style among numerous celebrated artists. The Swan Electric Engraving Company, known for prints in avant-garde publication The Yellow Book, rendered many tonal visions using photogravure. High quality color lithographs adorning the endpapers come from acclaimed Scottish color printers McLagan and Cumming. As a whole with its verse and images combined, the volume documents the creativity flourishing around London at the time across literature and visual arts.

Formats:

White cloth binding with pink rose wreath cover design and gilt top (203 pages)
Special vellum binding with same cover design and all edges gilt Size: 8.5 x 11 inches

Both editions have one full-page illustration by Arthur Rackham, and many other illustrations by members of The Society of Illustrators.

Text: A London Garland: Selected from Five Centuries of English Verse, edited by W.E. Henley

Illustrations: 1 full-page image by Arthur Rackham; more illustrations by other artists from The Society of Illustrators

Publisher: Macmillan and Company (London)

Publication Date: 1895

Summary: This visually resplendent 1895 poetry anthology gathers renowned verse celebrating London through the centuries, decorated with florid illustrations including a standout imaginative scene by Arthur Rackham.

Esteemed literary critic William Ernest Henley edited the collection spanning from 16th century ballads to current Victorian authors. While numerous members of The Society of Illustrators provided drawings, Rackham contributes his singular style to a full-page envisioning a sobering moment from William Blake’s “London.”

As one of Rackham’s few early non-fantasy pieces, this collaboration with Henley and other British luminaries of verse and art captures a pivotal creative circle blossoming across London into the new century. Lovely rose wreath-stamped cloth and vellum bindings house these masters harmonizing in praise of the storied city.