1899 Rare First Edition - The Red Book of Animal Stories by Andrew Lang
Author: Andrew Lang. Illustrated by H. J. Ford.
Title: The Red Book of Animal Stories.
Publisher: London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1899. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7.5 x 5 inches.
Pages: xvii, 379 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good publisher’s original bright red pictorial cloth binding richly decorated and lettered in gilt with a stunning design of exotic beasts surrounding two children reading — one of the most striking gilt covers from Lang’s celebrated “Coloured Fairy Books” series (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown, wear and softening to spine ends - as shown, spine faded - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. All edges gilt.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, some light foxing - as shown, front free endpaper with early gift inscription dated “Xmas 1899” - as shown).
Illustrations: Lavishly illustrated with numerous full-page plates and in-text woodcuts by Henry Justice Ford, including memorable scenes such as “The Lion Falls in Love with Aissa” and “How the Unicorn Was Trapped.” (Complete).
The book: First edition of The Red Book of Animal Stories (1899), one of the most visually dramatic volumes in Andrew Lang’s iconic “Coloured Fairy Book” series. While the earlier titles collected fairy tales, this later entry gathers myths, fables, and true tales of animals drawn from all parts of the world — from unicorns and dragons to lions, crocodiles, and faithful dogs. Lang’s erudite storytelling bridges folklore, natural history, and moral reflection, creating a vivid bestiary for both children and scholars of myth.
This edition’s gilt-blocked cover — designed by H. J. Ford — is among the finest in the series, showing a parade of fantastical creatures rendered in intricate line.
The author: Andrew Lang (1844–1912) was a Scottish poet, folklorist, and translator whose Coloured Fairy Books remain the cornerstone of late Victorian children’s literature. Lang’s editorial genius lay in transforming global folk narratives into English prose of elegance and accessibility, preserving their magic while broadening their cultural reach. The Red Book of Animal Stories marked his penultimate contribution to the series, blending fable, myth, and anecdote into a cohesive moral vision of the natural world.
The illustrator: Henry Justice Ford (1860–1941), a central figure of the Golden Age of Illustration, collaborated closely with Lang throughout the series. His art — distinguished by fine penwork, expressive anatomy, and subtle humour — defines the visual identity of Lang’s universe. In this volume, Ford’s line engravings bring both realism and wonder to life, from prowling tigers to enchanted unicorns.