1884 Rare Victorian Book - The Fairy Mythology by Thomas Keightley
Author: Thomas Keightley.
Title: The Fairy Mythology, Illustrative of the Romance and Superstition of Various Countries.
Publisher: London, George Bell & Sons, 1884. A New Edition, Revised and Greatly Enlarged.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7.5 x 5 inches.
Pages: 560 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good three-quarter green calf binding over marbled boards bound by Tout Binder. Spine with raised bands, gilt tooling in compartments, and twin red morocco title labels (“The Fairy Mythology” and “Keightley”). (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. Upper edge gilt.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with the wonderful frontispiece illustration by George Cruikshank.
Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies of this enlarged edition available for sale worldwide).
The book: This 1884 revised and greatly enlarged edition of The Fairy Mythology by Thomas Keightley remains one of the most comprehensive collections of fairy lore from around the world. A classic of Victorian mythography, the work presents stories and beliefs drawn from diverse traditions—Oriental romances, Norse sagas, Arabian tales, and Celtic and Germanic folklore. The chapters delve into the origins of fairy belief and its narrative forms, while Keightley’s scholarship is enhanced by his elegant prose and sympathetic curiosity. This edition also benefits from Cruikshank’s iconic frontispiece illustration, adding a whimsical and sometimes eerie charm.
The author: Thomas Keightley (1789–1872) was a prominent historian and mythographer of the 19th century. Best known for his works on mythology and folklore, Keightley brought scholarly rigor to the collection and comparative study of legends. His Fairy Mythology, first published in 1828, was pioneering in its attempt to classify fairy beliefs from multiple cultures. His approachable style and careful documentation made his work a staple in both popular and academic circles.
The illustrator: George Cruikshank (1792–1878), one of the most famous British illustrators of the 19th century, was renowned for his satirical and fantastical imagery. From illustrating Dickens to creating vivid visual interpretations of fairy tales, Cruikshank’s drawings bridged the gap between humor and the supernatural. His frontispiece illustration in The Fairy Mythology bring the text alive with playful, grotesque, and memorable imagery.