{"product_id":"1899-rare-first-edition-the-red-book-of-animal-stories-by-andrew-lang","title":"1899 Rare First Edition - The Red Book of Animal Stories by Andrew Lang","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"125\" data-end=\"1274\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"125\" data-end=\"136\"\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Andrew Lang. Illustrated by H. J. Ford.\u003cbr data-start=\"176\" data-end=\"179\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"179\" data-end=\"189\"\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"190\" data-end=\"223\"\u003eThe Red Book of Animal Stories.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"223\" data-end=\"226\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"226\" data-end=\"240\"\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1899. First Edition.\u003cbr data-start=\"280\" data-end=\"283\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"283\" data-end=\"296\"\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Text in English.\u003cbr data-start=\"313\" data-end=\"316\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"316\" data-end=\"325\"\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.5 x 5 inches.\u003cbr data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"356\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"356\" data-end=\"366\"\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e xvii, 379 pages.\u003cbr data-start=\"382\" data-end=\"385\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"385\" data-end=\"397\"\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attractive and very good publisher’s original bright red pictorial cloth binding richly decorated and lettered in gilt with a stunning design of exotic beasts surrounding two children reading — one of the most striking gilt covers from Lang’s celebrated “Coloured Fairy Books” series (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown,  wear and softening to spine ends - as shown, spine faded - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. All edges gilt.\u003cbr data-start=\"666\" data-end=\"669\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"669\" data-end=\"681\"\u003eContent:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good content (bright, tight and clean, some light foxing - as shown, front free endpaper with early gift inscription dated “Xmas 1899” - as shown).  \u003cbr data-start=\"1045\" data-end=\"1048\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1048\" data-end=\"1066\"\u003eIllustrations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavishly illustrated with numerous full-page plates and in-text woodcuts by Henry Justice Ford, including memorable scenes such as \u003cem data-start=\"1198\" data-end=\"1235\"\u003e“The Lion Falls in Love with Aissa”\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem data-start=\"1240\" data-end=\"1272\"\u003e“How the Unicorn Was Trapped.” (Complete).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1315\" data-end=\"1329\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe book: \u003c\/strong\u003eFirst edition of \u003cem data-start=\"1347\" data-end=\"1379\"\u003eThe Red Book of Animal Stories\u003c\/em\u003e (1899), one of the most visually dramatic volumes in Andrew Lang’s iconic “Coloured Fairy Book” series. While the earlier titles collected fairy tales, this later entry gathers myths, fables, and true tales of animals drawn from all parts of the world — from unicorns and dragons to lions, crocodiles, and faithful dogs. Lang’s erudite storytelling bridges folklore, natural history, and moral reflection, creating a vivid bestiary for both children and scholars of myth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1866\" data-end=\"2101\"\u003eThis edition’s gilt-blocked cover — designed by H. J. Ford — is among the finest in the series, showing a parade of fantastical creatures rendered in intricate line. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2108\" data-end=\"2124\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe author: \u003c\/strong\u003eAndrew Lang (1844–1912) was a Scottish poet, folklorist, and translator whose \u003cem data-start=\"2207\" data-end=\"2229\"\u003eColoured Fairy Books\u003c\/em\u003e remain the cornerstone of late Victorian children’s literature. Lang’s editorial genius lay in transforming global folk narratives into English prose of elegance and accessibility, preserving their magic while broadening their cultural reach. \u003cem data-start=\"2473\" data-end=\"2505\"\u003eThe Red Book of Animal Stories\u003c\/em\u003e marked his penultimate contribution to the series, blending fable, myth, and anecdote into a cohesive moral vision of the natural world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2651\" data-end=\"2672\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe illustrator: \u003c\/strong\u003eHenry Justice Ford (1860–1941), a central figure of the Golden Age of Illustration, collaborated closely with Lang throughout the series. His art — distinguished by fine penwork, expressive anatomy, and subtle humour — defines the visual identity of Lang’s universe. In this volume, Ford’s line engravings bring both realism and wonder to life, from prowling tigers to enchanted unicorns.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MFLIBRA - Antique Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46969589956857,"sku":null,"price":180.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/3348\/files\/20251026Animal-000.jpg?v=1761507460","url":"https:\/\/mflibra.com\/products\/1899-rare-first-edition-the-red-book-of-animal-stories-by-andrew-lang","provider":"MFLIBRA - Antique Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}