1936 Scarce Limited First Edition - Japanese Fairy Tales by Lafcadio Hearn, illustrated by Valenti Angelo.
(description)
Author: Lafcadio Hearn. Valenti Angelo, illustrator.
Title: Japanese Fairy Tales.
Publisher: Mount Vernon, NT, The Peter Pauper Press, 1936. First limited edition. Copy #210 of 950.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 9.5" X 7".
Pages: 64 pages.
Binding: Very good half-morocco leather binding (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. Upper edge gilt.
Content: Good to very good content printed on high-quality Andria paper (bright, tight, and clean, vertical crease to six pages in the middle of the text block - as shown).
Illustrations: Nicely illustrated by Valenti Angelo.
The book: Japanese Fairy Tales by Lafcadio Hearn is a beautiful collection of traditional Japanese folk stories, enriched by the evocative decorations of Valenti Angelo. This edition, published by The Peter Pauper Press in 1936, is notable for its craftsmanship and limited print run. The prologue by Edward Larocque Tinker provides additional context and appreciation for Hearn's work. This specific copy is one of the 950 copies printed, marked as number 210.
The author: Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) was a writer, known for his books about Japan, particularly his collections of legends and ghost stories. Hearn's works offer a unique perspective on Japanese culture and folklore, and he remains a significant figure in the literary introduction of Japan to Western readers.
The illustrator: Valenti Angelo (1897-1982) was an Italian-American printmaker, illustrator, and author. He is known for his distinctive decorative style and contributions to fine press books. Angelo's illustrations for Japanese Fairy Tales are particularly admired for their ability to capture the essence of the stories while adding an artistic flair.