The Other Side by Thomas Rhodes

The Other Side: Arthur Rackham’s Debut Illustrated Travelogue

Format: Original brown cloth hardcover; Quarto size Cover

Art: Mounted chromolithographic illustration of globe turned to the Atlantic, with American flag, White Star ship portrait, and “Pear’s Soap” gilt logo

Text: The Other Side by Thomas Rhodes

Illustrations: Numerous black and white drawings by Arthur Rackham and Alfred Bryan, many signed “A. Rackham” or with his “AR” monogram

Maps: By Alfred Bryan

Publisher: George Philip & Son Publication

Date: March 1893

Price at Publication: 2 shillings (cloth format)

Summary: Published in 1893, The Other Side represents beloved English illustrator Arthur Rackham’s first book commission at the age of 25. Conceived by map publisher George Philip & Son as a travel guide enticing tourists to the Chicago World’s Fair, journalist Thomas Rhodes supplies the text to this quarto-sized volume with numerous unsigned photographs serving as inspiration for Rackham’s cleanly-rendered black and white sketches. Rackham inscribed his personal copy, “This is the first book that came out with my illustrations,” which he later sold. He expressed surprise in correspondence that any copies survived at all, as he expected most ended up in the rubbish bin. While Rackham would proceed to grander imaginative heights, this rare volume provides intriguing insight into his commercial beginnings before developing his signature fantastical style. Rackham collectors should note Alfred Bryan receives co-illustrator billing, providing maps and perhaps additional drawings. Fewer than 5 institutional copies are known.

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