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Jacobs, Joseph (editor); John D. Batten (illustrator).
Celtic Fairy Tales.
Publisher: David Nutt, London;
Date of Publication: 1892
Stock Code: 12692
First edition, second printing. Octavo; pp., xiv [2] 267, [1], plus frontispiece and seven illustrated plates. One page of publisher’s ads to end. Publisher’s moss-green cloth; Celtic motif initialled (J. D. B,, i.e. John D. Batten) to upper board; Celtic scrollwork and title to spine. Some pages unopened. Gift inscription to “Lionel Heath” dated 1901 to front free endpaper. A few very slight spots of soiling to covers. Corners gently rubbed; spine rubbed to joints. Contents crisp and bright. A near-fine copy. This book emerged from the work of The Folklore Society, of which both the editor and illustrator were members. Jacobs and Batten collaborated on “English Fairy Tales”, “Indian Fairy Tales”, and “Europa’s Fairy Book”. Inspired by Charles Perrault in France and the Brothers Grimm in Germany, Joseph Jacobs sought to promote fairy tales of the British Isles to children. Jacobs was, in his lifetime, a leading authority on folklore, and his versions of stories such as “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, and “The Three Little Pigs” continue to circulate. This book combines both Jacobs’ penchant for reviving folk stories, and Batten’s distinctive Art Nouveau style. Alongside eight full-page illustrations, the text is ornamented with decorated capitals, printer’s flowers, and cuts, all taken from Batten’s drawings. £120.00