(HOUSMAN, Laurence). Christina Rossetti.
Goblin Market
A very good, bright copy with some light rubbing at head and foot of spine and corners. One of the most perfect books of the period: Housman’s representation of the goblins - with their demi-human faces frequently hidden under broad brimmed hats as if in shame, was only achieved after negotiation with Christina Rossetti who urged him to take his lead from the sole drawing of the goblins that her brother DG supplied for the first edition. Although Christina was underwhelmed - Engen quotes her as saying that “I don’t think my goblins were quite so ugly” - the book’s publication was something of a breakthrough for Housman: it was exhibited at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition and prominently illustrated in The Studio’s review of the exhibition, leading to the purchase of the title page drawing by Frederic Leighton, president of the RA. Gleeson White, editor of The Studio was extravagantly keen on the book, describing it later as “perhaps the most charming bound volume, with the single exception of Silverpoints that has yet been issued by any publisher.”
Engen, Laurence Housman, “the drawings remain some of his richest, most inventive creations.”
