1861 Scarce Book - Favourite Fairy Tales With Twelve Coloured Illustrations

Author: [Anonymous; collected and retold from classic sources].
Title: Favourite Fairy Tales. With Twelve Coloured Illustrations.
Publisher: Edinburgh, Gall & Inglis, 6 George Street; London, Houlston & Wright, [circa 1861]. First thus.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 6.5 x 4.5 inches.
Pages: 174 pages.
Binding: Attractive and good original publisher’s richly blind-stamped and gilt-decorated burgundy cloth binding. Gilt title and design on spine and upper cover. Upper and lower parts of the spine show notable wear with some fraying and small loss, corners slightly bumped, but overall the cover remains bright and attractive (hinges fine) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find in any condition!
Content: Good content (tight, some foxing, toning and staining - as shown, a charming period inscription on the front endpaper: “Thomas Edward Weston on his birthday 17th Sept 1869.” - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with twelve vivid hand-coloured illustrations that bring these beloved fairy tales to life. The plates are bright and engaging, capturing the whimsical and dramatic moments of the stories.

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

The book: This scarce Victorian-era edition of Favourite Fairy Tales gathers some of the best-loved stories from the fairy-tale canon, including classics like “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” “Cinderella,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack the Giant Killer,” and “Tom Thumb.” The coloured plates add vibrancy to the tales, reflecting the 19th-century fascination with richly illustrated children’s books. Produced by the well-known Edinburgh publisher Gall & Inglis, this edition captures both the moral lessons and the timeless enchantment of fairy literature, making it a delightful collectible for enthusiasts of folklore and antique children’s books.

The author: The collection is anonymous, drawing from traditional sources and oral storytelling traditions. These tales, passed down for centuries, have been gathered and reshaped by countless authors and editors, reflecting a deep cultural heritage that spans across Europe and beyond.

The illustrators: While the specific illustrators are not credited, the twelve hand-coloured plates are emblematic of the period’s illustrative style, with dramatic scenes, bold outlines, and a vivid sense of action and character. These anonymous but skilled artists contributed significantly to making the book a visually captivating piece of Victorian book art.