1894 Scarce First Edition - Norseland Tales of Norway by Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen
Author: Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen. Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill, George Willis Bardwell, and Oliver Herford.
Title: Norseland Tales. Illustrated.
Publisher: New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1894. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7.5 x 5.5 inches.
Pages: 247 pages.
Binding: Attractive and near fine original publisher's olive-green pictorial cloth binding, gilt lettering and art nouveau flourishes on the upper board and spine (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good, near fine content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing, gift note and light staining to the front endpaper - as shown).
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated with 7 black-and-white full-page engravings by Frank T. Merrill, George Willis Bardwell, and Oliver Herford, including a detailed frontispiece and dramatic narrative scenes (e.g., “Zuleika Recognizes Her Master,” “Theodore in the Fox-Trap,” and “The Robbing of the Eagle’s Nest”). (Complete).
Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies in this First Edition binding variant available for sale worldwide).
The book: A stirring collection of short stories set against the vivid landscapes and folkloric textures of Norway, Norseland Tales captures both the mythic and the everyday with a blend of youthful adventure and moral purpose. Published as part of The Norseland Series, this volume introduces American readers of the late 19th century to a romanticized vision of Scandinavian life, filled with heroism, nature, and character-building trials. This edition is a fine example of Scribner’s decorative cloth bindings of the period, appealing to collectors of illustrated children's literature and Nordic-themed tales alike.
The author: Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen (1848–1895) was a Norwegian-American author and professor, known for his work promoting Scandinavian culture in the United States. A prolific writer of fiction, poetry, and essays, Boyesen was one of the first Norwegian immigrants to gain national recognition in American literary circles. His deep affection for his homeland and his talent for storytelling made his juvenile and adult fiction both engaging and culturally significant.
The illustrators:
Frank T. Merrill (1848–1936) was a prolific American illustrator best known for his detailed line drawings and work on American classics. His expressive style brought vivid life to historical and domestic scenes.
George Willis Bardwell, active in the late 19th century, contributed illustrations to several children's and adventure books, characterized by dramatic composition and strong visual storytelling.
Oliver Herford (1863–1935), known for his wit and charm, was a celebrated illustrator and writer dubbed the "American Oscar Wilde." His contributions to this volume add a whimsical grace that lightens and complements the tales' more adventurous tones.