MILTON (John): COMUS. Illustrated by Arthur RACKHAM. Paris, - Lot 152

MILTON (John): COMUS. Illustrated by Arthur RACKHAM. Paris, Librairie Hachette, s.d. (circa 1920). One volume. 22.5 by 29 cm. Frontispiece-XVI-76 pages and 23 off-text color illustrations. Publisher's white half vellum, smooth spine titled in gilt, front cover decorated with illustration and gilt title, gilt head. Boards slightly browned (as on most copies), trace of a small bump on the upper board (not serious), first and last leaves slightly browned (due to slight discharge of the boards supporting the color illustrations). Some very slight traces in the text of these discharges, not serious. 24 color illustrations mounted on strong brown boards, with captioned serpents, 11 black-and-white illustrations off-text, and numerous lamp-ends and headbands. Complete. Copy of the deluxe edition limited to 300 numbered copies printed on strong vellum à la forme (no. 245), signed in the justification by the illustrator. A fantastic illustration as seductive as ever.