1910 1stED - Green Willow and Japanese Fairy Tales Illustrated by Warwick Goble

A luminous journey into the poetic world of Japanese legend, brought to life through Warwick Goble’s most delicate and atmospheric illustrations.

Author: Grace James. Illustrated by Warwick Goble.
Title: Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales.
Publisher: London, Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1910. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 10 x 7.5 inches.
Pages: viii, 280 pages.
Binding: Very good publisher’s original blue cloth binding, beautifully decorated in gilt with a central figure and elegant lettering to front cover and spine; light rubbing and minor wear at extremities, (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. Overall, a highly attractive and well-preserved example; all edges tinted blue.
Content: Very good to good; generally bright and tight; light foxing throughout as shown; a few plates with minor corner creasing, typical for this title; small outer edge staining and scattered foxing - as shown. Overall a pleasing and complete copy.
Illustrations: Complete with 40 tipped-in color plates by Warwick Goble, each with original printed tissue guard; the illustrations remain vibrant and richly detailed, capturing the elegance and dreamlike atmosphere of Japanese folklore.

Estimate: (USD 700–900).

The book: First published in 1910, Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales is one of the most celebrated collaborations between Grace James and Warwick Goble, and a cornerstone of early 20th-century illustrated fairy tale literature. Drawing from traditional Japanese legends and folklore, the stories evoke a world of spirits, samurai, enchanted beings, and poetic landscapes. Goble’s illustrations—among his finest—blend subtle color, graceful linework, and an ethereal sensibility that reflects the Western fascination with Japonisme at the time. The result is a work of quiet beauty and enduring charm, prized both for its literary content and its artistic achievement.

The author: Grace James (fl. early 20th century) was a British writer known for her adaptations of Asian folklore for Western audiences. Her works, including Green Willow, helped introduce generations of readers to Japanese myth and storytelling, combining narrative clarity with a deep respect for the source material’s atmosphere and themes.

The illustrator: Warwick Goble (1862–1943) was one of the leading illustrators of the Golden Age, renowned for his interpretations of Eastern subjects. His work is distinguished by its refined palette, flowing compositions, and sensitivity to cultural detail. His illustrations for Green Willow are widely regarded as among his most accomplished, embodying both the elegance of Japanese art and the decorative sophistication of early 20th-century book illustration.