1997 First Edition - Charles van Sandwyk’s Pocket Guide to the Little People
Author: Charles van Sandwyk.
Title: Van Sandwyk’s Pocket Guide to the Little People.
Publisher: North Vancouver, The Fairy Press, 1997. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7 x 5 inches (18 x 12.5 cm).
Pages: 24 pages.
Binding: Near fine original illustrated red wrappers with mounted color plate to the front cover, showing only very light rubbing to the gilt border, mostly at the corners, otherwise bright, clean, and very attractive, as shown. Protected in a removable mylar cover. A scarce artist's bookmark lay in.
Content: Near Fine condition. Interior is crisp and fresh, with beautifully printed illustrations throughout on quality paper.
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated with pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations by Charles van Sandwyk, including many full-page color plates and elaborate decorative borders in soft tones. All illustrations are clean, vivid, and complete.
Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies available for sale worldwide).
The book: A scarce and enchanting first printing of Van Sandwyk’s Pocket Guide to the Little People, a delightful field guide to fairies, their habits, and how to spot them. First published in 1997 in a limited run of approximately 2000 copies, this whimsical work includes detailed illustrations, calligraphic text, and field notes on fairy behavior, attire, and habitats. A charming example of Van Sandwyk's early private press work with The Fairy Press, this title is increasingly uncommon in collectible condition.
The author: Charles van Sandwyk (b. 1966) is a celebrated Canadian artist and illustrator known for his whimsical illustrations inspired by folklore, fairytales, and the natural world. His work often evokes the spirit of early 20th-century illustrators like Arthur Rackham and Kay Nielsen. A master of private press artistry, Van Sandwyk's books—often produced in limited numbers—combine elegant typography with hand-drawn illustrations, creating collectible treasures of contemporary book art.