1900 Rare First Edition - The Book of Gnomes by Fred E. Weatherly, illustrated by Evelyn Stuart Hardy.

(Description)

Author: Fred E. Weatherly. Evelyn Stuart Hardy, illustrator.
Title: The Book of Gnomes.
Publisher: London, Ernest Nister; E P Dutton & Co., no date (circa 1900). First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 10" X 12.5".
Pages:  Unpaginated (48) pages (8) color plates.
Binding: Attractive and very good original quarter cloth illustrated binding with illustrated paper-covered boards, showing charming gnome scenes (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find in any condition!
Content: Very good content (bright, tight, and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown, ex-libris of a previous owner on the first endpaper - as shown). 
Illustrations: Complete with the wonderful 8 chromolithographed plates and black and white illustrations by Evelyn Stuart Hardy.

Estimate: (USD 1000 - USD 1200).

The book: This First Edition of the Book of Gnomes is a delightful piece of Victorian children's literature, encapsulating the magical world of gnomes and their forest friends. Through both prose and poetry, Fred E. Weatherly introduces young readers to the lives of these little beings, highlighting their humor, council meetings, and playful antics. Ernest Nister’s high-quality color printing enhances Hardy's illustrations, making this a collectible item for fans of classic children’s literature and illustrations.

The author: Frederic Edward Weatherly, KC (4 October 1848 – 7 September 1929) was an English lawyer, author, lyricist and broadcaster. He was christened and brought up using the name Frederick Edward Weatherly, and appears to have adopted the spelling 'Frederic' later in life. He is estimated to have written the lyrics to at least 3,000 popular songs, among the best-known of which are the sentimental ballad "Danny Boy" set to the tune "Londonderry Air", the religious "The Holy City", and the wartime song "Roses of Picardy".

The illustrator: Evelyn Stuart Hardy (1866-1935) was an English illustrator and author. She practiced his art mainly in the illustration of children's books, fairy tales, and other stories. Coming from a family of artists, it is with a certain mastery of her art that she drew the portrait of a pretty mermaid or elaborated on these scenes of meetings of elves which allow her to find her place among the artists of Fairyland!