1895 Scarce Book - The Story of Zelinda and the Monster or, Beauty and the Beast
Author: Mary Stuart Wortley, Countess of Lovelace.
Title: The Story of Zelinda and the Monster or Beauty and the Beast.
Publisher: London, J.M. Dent & Co., Aldine House, MDCCCXCV (1895). First thus.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 10" x 7.5".
Pages: 30 pages.
Binding: Beautiful near fine original cream cloth binding decorated on the front cover with a charming orange tree bearing fruit and a crown nestled among the branches, complemented by delicate floral ornaments and elegant lettering. Publisher's device to the rear cover. An unusually fresh and attractive example of this fragile decorative cloth binding (hinges fine, binding tight and sound) protected in a removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good content. Pages remain bright, clean, and well preserved with only light occasional age toning and a few scattered spots of foxing, chiefly at the margins as shown. No ownership inscriptions noted. Tissue guards remain present. A handsome and well-preserved copy.
Illustrations: Complete with the frontispiece and 9 additional full-page sepia-tone illustrations on thick paper, all protected by captioned tissue guards. (10 full-page illustrations in total, complete).
Estimate: (USD 400 - USD 600).
The book: One of the most attractive late Victorian editions of the enduring fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, this volume presents the story under its earlier Italian title, Zelinda and the Monster. Retold by Mary Stuart Wortley, Countess of Lovelace, from an old Italian version, the work preserves the romance, mystery, and moral depth of the classic tale while lending it a distinctive literary elegance.
Issued by J. M. Dent during the flourishing era of the Arts and Crafts movement, the book is notable for its refined design and artistic unity. The decorative cream cloth binding, adorned with the symbolic orange tree and crown motif, reflects the influence of the period's emphasis on beauty, craftsmanship, and harmonious book production. The result is a volume that is as pleasing visually as it is literary.
Particularly appealing are the evocative sepia plates, which capture key moments of Zelinda's journey from fear and uncertainty to understanding and love. Their atmospheric quality lends the tale a dreamlike character perfectly suited to one of the most beloved fairy stories in European literature.
Today, Zelinda and the Monster is regarded as one of the more desirable Victorian interpretations of Beauty and the Beast, prized by collectors of fairy tales, decorative bindings, and finely illustrated books.
The author: Mary Stuart Wortley, Countess of Lovelace (1848–1941), was a British author, editor, and member of one of England's most distinguished literary families. Possessing a deep appreciation for folklore, literature, and book arts, she produced several works for younger readers and helped preserve traditional stories through elegant retellings. Her adaptation of Zelinda and the Monster remains among her most celebrated publications and is admired for its graceful prose and enduring charm.