1935 Rare First Edition - Andersen Fairy Tales Illustrated by Rex Whistler

Author: Hans Christian Andersen. Illustrated by Rex Whistler.
Title: Fairy Tales and Legends by Hans Andersen.
Publisher: London, Cobden-Sanderson Ltd., 1935 (First Edition, October 1935).
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8.5 x 6 inches. 
Pages: VII-470 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good, beautiful publisher’s original red cloth binding, lavishly decorated with ornate gilt designs by Rex Whistler. Gilt title to spine (hinges fine, spine slightly faded - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. All edges stained red.
Content: Near Fine content (bright, tight and clean - as shown). A splendid and well-preserved example of this highly collectible edition, with all pages intact and illustrations bright and crisp.
Illustrations: Wonderfully illustrated throughout by Rex Whistler, including 10 full-page plates and numerous intricate woodcut-style drawings within the text. His delicate line work and whimsical romantic style perfectly complement Andersen’s tales.

Estimate: (USD 250-350).

The book: A magnificent first edition (October 1935) of Fairy Tales and Legends by Hans Andersen, illustrated by the brilliant British artist Rex Whistler. Printed by the Shenval Press and bound by the Leighton-Straker Bookbinding Co., this edition is admired both for its luxurious presentation and its harmonious marriage of illustration and typography. The decorative gilt cover and patterned endpapers create a sense of regal fantasy, reminiscent of a storybook fit for a Danish king.

This collection includes some of Andersen’s most beloved stories — The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Snow Queen, The Little Mermaid, The Red Shoes, and The Ugly Duckling — each brought to life by Whistler’s finely detailed imagery. The printing quality and elegant page design demonstrate the high standards of mid-1930s British bookmaking, combining charm and craftsmanship in equal measure.

The author: Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) was a Danish author best known for his fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages and remain timeless classics of children’s and world literature. His imaginative storytelling, blending moral depth and poetic whimsy, gave rise to such enduring works as The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen, The Ugly Duckling, and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Andersen’s stories continue to inspire adaptations in theatre, film, and illustration worldwide.

The illustrator: Rex Whistler (1905–1944) was one of the most gifted British artists and illustrators of his generation, celebrated for his exquisite line drawings and decorative murals. His work combines elegance, wit, and a romantic sensibility influenced by 18th-century art. Whistler’s illustrations for Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales and Legends are among his finest book designs — elegant, imaginative, and perfectly attuned to the spirit of Andersen’s magical narratives. Tragically, his career was cut short when he was killed in action during World War II, but his artistic legacy endures.