John Masefield — Right Royal

London, William Heinemann, 1922. Cloth. The first illustrated edition of this racing ballad from Poet Laureate John Masefield, adorned with illustrations by Cecil Aldin. The first illustrated edition of this work. Originally published in 1920. This poem captures the action of the English Chaser's Cup, a race with parallels to the Grand Nationals. The main character of the story enters his steeplechaser named Right Royal to the race, with Masefield painting the thrill and challenges throughout the poem. Written by John Masefield, an English poet, writer and Poet Laureate from 1930 until his death in 1967. With a coloured tipped in frontispiece, three further tipped in colour plates, and numerous in-text and full-page illustrations throughout. Illustrated by Cecil Aldin, a British artist best known for his sketches and paintings of animals, sports and rural life. Collated, complete. In the original cloth binding. Externally, very smart, with rubbing and bumping to the extremities, most noticeable to the spine head and tail. Marks to the boards. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with offsetting and scattered spotting to the endpapers Very Good . Ill.: Cecil Aldin. Very Good .