...among the finest book illustrations ever produced
Illustrations to Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book
Macmillan, 1903.
Large portfolio comprising sixteen very large mounted colour plates depicting scenes from Kipling's story (each image is 300mm by 250mm). Housed in publisher's green linen slipcase with gilt embossed decoration depicting a winged beast (a mythical emblem used by the Detmolds) to the upper cover. The sixteen colour illustrations are mounted and protected by both captioned tissue guards and (loose) uncaptioned tissue guards. An uncommonly fine, complete set. The linen slipcase is notably bright and fresh, albeit with some slight splits to joints. Occasional light spotting to captioned tissue guards, and some browning to the secondary tissue guards, but the plates are bright and clear.
Maurice and Edward Detmold were twins born in London, who studied animal life in the Zoological Gardens. Much of the work the brothers did was with animal images, paying great attention to detail and producing images which are very true to life. This series of illustrations is undoubtedly their most celebrated achievement. Keith Nicholson wrote "The watercolours themselves must be among the finest book illustrations ever produced". The paintings were praised for their attention to detail, their realistic images and their great depth. The portfolio was produced in a small limitation and sold for 5 guineas a set.
Stock ID: 40833
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