1904 First Edition - The Golden Heart and Other Fairy Stories by Violet Jacob

Author: Violet Jacob. Illustrated by May Sandheim.
Title: The Golden Heart & Other Fairy Stories.
Publisher: London, William Heinemann, 1904. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8 x 6.5 inches.
Pages: x-171 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good original publisher's decorative green cloth binding, gilt title to spine, black and gilt stamped title and pictorial design on the upper board (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare fin in any condition!
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, some light foxing or staining mainly on endpapers - as shown, some age toning to illustrations ' margins - as shown).
Illustrations: With 17 exquisite illustrations by May Sandheim, including a vibrant color frontispiece and 16 black-and-white plates. Illustrations are charming, fantastical, and complement the fairy tale themes perfectly. All plates present and well-preserved.

Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies available for sale worldwide).

The book: This first edition of The Golden Heart & Other Fairy Stories (1904) is a rare and beautifully produced Edwardian collection of original fairy tales by Violet Jacob, blending northern myth, poetic imagination, and subtle moral depth. The stories range from maritime fantasy to Japanese-inspired legends and classic fables. The decorative binding and illustrations make this an enchanting collectible of the golden age of fairy tale publishing. Especially notable is the front cover design with its stylized fish and heart, signaling the romantic and mythical nature of the tales within.

The author: Violet Jacob (1863–1946) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and folklorist known for her deep affection for the Scottish countryside and her ability to infuse her writing with lyricism and regional character. Although best known for her historical fiction and poetry, The Golden Heart reflects her skill in crafting imaginative literature for children, showing her versatility and literary grace.

The illustrator: May Sandheim was a turn-of-the-century illustrator whose style reflects the transitional art aesthetic between Art Nouveau and the emerging Edwardian decorative tradition. Her illustrations for The Golden Heart are intricately detailed, bringing to life Jacob's dreamlike stories with romantic flair and fantastical vision.