1915 Scarce Book - Fairy Frolics by Enos and Frances Comstock, Color Illustrated
Author: Enos B. Comstock. Illustrated by Frances Bassett Comstock.
Title: Fairy Frolics.
Publisher: Chicago and New York, Rand, McNally & Company, 1915. Second Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 10 x 8 inches.
Pages: Unpaginated.
Binding: Good to very good original pictorial cloth binding with gilt lettering to front board and spine (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown, rear board shows light bubbling or slight puckering to the cloth without structural impact - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A solid and attractive copy.
Content: Good to very good content (bright and clean overall, with light staining to the lower corner margin of “The Shower Bath” illustration and the following page not affecting the illustration nor the text - as shown). Complete and well-preserved.
Illustrations: Complete with seven full-page colour illustrations by Frances Bassett Comstock, as well as numerous charming black-and-white illustrations throughout. This second edition includes an additional full-page colour plate not present in the 1913 first edition.
Estimate: (USD 250–400).
The book: A delightful and increasingly scarce early twentieth-century fairy book, Fairy Frolics captures the whimsical spirit of the golden age of illustration. The ethereal artwork of Frances Bassett Comstock brings to life a world of delicate winged fairies, mermaids, and woodland creatures, rendered in soft, luminous colors and graceful line work. The composition and palette evoke the influence of contemporaries such as Rackham and Dulac, while maintaining a distinctive lightness and charm of its own. This 1915 second edition is particularly desirable, as it adds an additional full-page color illustration, enhancing the visual richness of the volume. A beautiful example of American fairy illustration, both enchanting and collectible.
The author: Enos B. Comstock was an American writer of children’s literature whose works often explored imaginative and nature-inspired themes. His collaborations with Frances Bassett Comstock resulted in books that combined poetic text with richly decorative illustration, appealing to both children and collectors of illustrated works.
The illustrator: Frances Bassett Comstock was an American illustrator known for her graceful and dreamlike depictions of fairies and natural forms. Her work, characterized by flowing lines, soft coloration, and a refined decorative sensibility, places her among the notable illustrators of early twentieth-century children’s books. Her illustrations in Fairy Frolics are especially admired for their elegance and their ability to evoke a gentle, magical atmosphere.