{"product_id":"1870-scarce-victorian-book-fairy-mary-s-dream-by-a-f-l-illustrated-in-color","title":"1870 Scarce Victorian Book - Fairy Mary’s Dream by A.F.L., illustrated in Color","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"197\" data-end=\"1349\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"197\" data-end=\"208\"\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e (A. F. L.) \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eAlexander Francis Lydon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Illustrated by the author.\u003cbr data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"277\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"277\" data-end=\"287\"\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"288\" data-end=\"309\"\u003eFairy Mary’s Dream.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"309\" data-end=\"312\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"312\" data-end=\"326\"\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e London, Groombridge and Sons, 1870. First Edition.\u003cbr data-start=\"362\" data-end=\"365\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"378\"\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Text in English.\u003cbr data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"398\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"398\" data-end=\"407\"\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 x 7.5 inches.\u003cbr data-start=\"424\" data-end=\"427\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"427\" data-end=\"437\"\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 27 pages.\u003cbr data-start=\"447\" data-end=\"450\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"462\"\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original publisher’s dark green cloth binding, elaborately panelled in blind with decorative cornerpieces and a richly gilt central medallion to the upper cover; spine lettered in gilt; all edges gilt; a very attractive Victorian binding in very good condition, with light rubbing to extremities and minor marks -as shown. A rare find in any condition!\u003cbr data-start=\"767\" data-end=\"770\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"770\" data-end=\"782\"\u003eContent:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good condition; complete with 8 color plates including the chromolithographic frontispiece and richly decorated title page; light foxing and occasional spotting; an early gift inscription dated March 1878 on the blank leaf between the frontispiece and title page - as shown; text block otherwise clean, fresh, and well preserved.\u003cbr data-start=\"1106\" data-end=\"1109\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1109\" data-end=\"1127\"\u003eIllustrations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eight finely executed chromolithographic plates of great richness and color, each surrounded by ornamental gilt borders and protected by tissue guards, complemented by delicate wood-engraved vignettes throughout the text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1351\" data-end=\"1379\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1351\" data-end=\"1364\"\u003eEstimate:\u003c\/strong\u003e (USD 700–950).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1386\" data-end=\"2159\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1386\" data-end=\"1399\"\u003eThe book: \u003c\/strong\u003eA striking and scarce Victorian gift book, \u003cem data-start=\"1445\" data-end=\"1465\"\u003eFairy Mary’s Dream\u003c\/em\u003e exemplifies the refined artistry of late 19th-century children’s publishing; issued in 1870 by Groombridge and Sons, it presents a poetic narrative in which a young girl dreams herself transformed into a butterfly, drifting through a world of nature and imagination; the work is distinguished by its exquisite chromolithographic plates, alive with color and framed by elegant gilt ornamentation, creating a luminous visual experience that elevates the book beyond mere reading into the realm of decorative art; the harmonious integration of text, image, and binding makes this an especially desirable example of Victorian bookmaking, seldom encountered in such pleasing and complete condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2166\" data-end=\"2595\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2166\" data-end=\"2181\"\u003eThe author: \u003c\/strong\u003eAlexander Francis Lydon (1836–1917) was a British illustrator and engraver closely associated with the natural history publishing world, notably contributing to works issued by \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eBenjamin Fawcett\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e; renowned for his precision and sensitivity to the natural world, Lydon brought a refined artistic touch to both scientific and imaginative subjects, as seen in this delicate and atmospheric work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MFLIBRA - Antique Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47638011904249,"sku":null,"price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/3348\/files\/20260328fairymary_01.jpg?v=1774698009","url":"https:\/\/mflibra.com\/products\/1870-scarce-victorian-book-fairy-mary-s-dream-by-a-f-l-illustrated-in-color","provider":"MFLIBRA - Antique Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}