1920 Scarce Book - The Princess and the Elf, A Fairy Story by Winifred M. Warne

Author: Skimble Skamble. Illustrated by Winifred M. Warne.
Title: The Princess and the Elf. An Original Fairy Story. 
Publisher: London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., [circa 1920s]. First thus.
Language: Text in English.
Size:  6 x 4.5 inches.
Pages: 42 pages.
Binding: Very good original publisher’s light blue cloth binding, with a mounted color illustration to the front cover framed in gilt and black, and black lettering to spine (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown, a small scratch is visible on the mounted cover illustration - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. Overall, the binding remains bright and attractive, with only minor shelf wear.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing and age-toning - as shown).
Illustrations: Illustrated throughout with delightful black-and-white drawings and three full-page color plates by Winifred M. Warne, including a vibrant frontispiece. The artwork complements the whimsical and humorous tone of the story, blending Edwardian charm with playful fantasy.

Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies available for sale worldwide).  

The book: The Princess and the Elf is a whimsical, scarce original fairy tale by the pseudonymous “Skimble Skamble,” a name likely chosen in reference to Shakespeare’s playful evocation of dreamlike nonsense in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Published by Frederick Warne & Co., one of Britain’s most beloved children’s publishers, this short tale captures the imagination with its blend of enchanted forests, humorous characters, and a lighthearted narrative meant to delight young readers. The decorative binding with its mounted color plate makes it a particularly charming gift-book style production.

The author: Little is known about “Skimble Skamble,” the playful pseudonym under which this fairy tale was issued. The name, evoking Shakespearean whimsy, suggests the author sought to situate their story within the grand tradition of English fantastical literature. Such pseudonyms were not uncommon in early 20th-century children’s publishing, allowing authors to write with a theatrical or folkloric identity suited to their imaginative tales.

The illustrator: Winifred M. Warne, an illustrator active in the early 20th century, is credited with a number of children’s works published by Frederick Warne & Co. Her style combines delicately drawn line illustrations with charming, softly-colored plates. In The Princess and the Elf, Warne’s artwork lends both enchantment and humor, with expressive characters and atmospheric settings that bring the story vividly to life.