Sixteen Illustrations of Subjects from Kipling's "Jungle Book". by KIPLING, Rudyard - DETMOLD, Maurice & Edward J. (illus.) - 1903

London: Macmillan & Co. Limited,, 1903. Magnificent illustrations for Kipling's classic and considered by some to be the finest book illustrations ever published First edition, sole impression. A report on the publication in the New York Times for 5 December 1903 stated that "the edition is strictly limited to 500 copies for England and America". This portfolio is a magnificent presentation of the Detmold brothers' celebrated book illustrations. Reviewing the London exhibition of the original artwork, the Manchester Guardian commented that the Detmolds "are able to prevent their work from ever sinking to the level of mere illustration". The reviewer enthused that "the drawing of the Monkey People in the Cold Lairs who 'were not thinking of Mowgli's friends at all' is full of character, subtle observation, and invention. The figure of Bagheera in 'Mowgli and the Red Flower' has something of that beauty which hath terror in it. Baloo and Nag, Kaa and Akela the lone wolf are brought before our eyes in a singularly convincing and engaging form". Folio. Original green cloth chemise, front cover lettered and with illustration in gilt, containing title page, contents leaf and 16 loose prints. 16 coloured chromolithograph prints on thin card (sheet sizes: 330 x 430 mm.) tipped onto white board with grey window mounts (mount sizes: 393 x 545 mm.) with cover sheet to each illustration providing the title and a short extract from the book. Chemise worn with loss, front cover detached, bookplate removed, lacking ties, occasional chips and tears to extremities of cover sheets, light browning to sheets, fold to title page and contents leaf strengthened, prints bright and unfaded; a good set. Housed in a custom grey cloth folding box, slightly worn at joints. Manchester Guardian, 5 November 1903.