1900 Rare Book - Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales Illustrated by Gilbert James

Author: Hans Christian Andersen. Illustrated by Gilbert James.
Title: Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales (Langham Series for Children).
Publisher: London, Siegle, Hill & Co., 2 Langham Place, [n.d., circa early 1900s]. Printed by Chorley & Pickersgill, Ltd., The Electric Press, Leeds and London.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 4.5" x 4.5".
Pages: 64 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good original publisher’s illustrated blue paper-covered boards, upper cover with decorative floral and vine design framing a circular colour illustration of Thumbelina in a tulip. Red and black lettering to upper board. Rear board plain blue (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown, light spotting to back cover - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover..
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown, gift note of a previous owner on the first endpaper - as shown). 
Illustrations: Delightfully illustrated throughout with colour plates and black & white drawings by Gilbert James, many full-page, including depictions of “The Mouse’s Wedding”, “The Darning-Needle”, “The Real Princess”, “The Daisy”, and “Tommeli se” (Thumbelina). Complete.

The book: A charming early 20th-century children’s edition of Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales, selected for the Langham Series for Children. This edition features five well-loved tales — The Mouse’s Wedding, The Darning-Needle, The Real Princess, The Daisy, and Tommeli se — brought to life by the delicate yet whimsical artistry of Gilbert James. Printed in a square format with vibrant cover art, this copy captures the golden era of British children’s publishing, where design and illustration were integral to storytelling.

The author: Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) is Denmark’s most celebrated literary figure, renowned worldwide for his fairy tales, which have been translated into countless languages and adapted into every medium. His stories, combining imaginative fantasy with moral depth, include such enduring classics as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Snow Queen.

The illustrator: Gilbert James (active early 20th century) was an English illustrator known for his charming and often whimsical interpretations of literary classics. His work for children’s books, especially fairy tales, displays a fine line, soft colour palette, and a keen sensitivity to the magical and humorous elements of the stories.