The Green Fairy Book

The Green Fairy Book, Edited by Andrew Lang.

London: The Folio Society, [2009]. First printing thus. With an introduction by Jack Zipes, paintings and decorations by Julian de Narvaez. 252 × 192 × 52 mm. Pp. [i–iv] v–xxv [xxvi–xxviii], 1–354: [14] leaves of plates. Type: Caslon with hand-drawn lettering for the title. Printed (the title-page in green and black) by Memminger MedienCentrum. Bound by Real Lachenmaier in series binding with the other fairy books. Full green buckram blocked with a design by de Narvaez in pale green, black, gold and cream; green endleaves with a design in gold. Green slip case. First published in 1892. The 42 stories are punctuated by additional drawings by de Narvaez.

The Green Fairy Book was first published in 1892, and in his Preface to this volume, Lang expressed the view that it would be “probably the last” of the collection. Their continuing popularity, however, demanded many subsequent books. This volume contains many stories from Spanish and Chinese traditions as well as tales from Madame D’Aulnoy and others. The FS edition is introduced by fairy tale scholar Jack Zipes, and illustrated by South American artist Julian de Narvaez with his evocative watercolours that bridge traditional illustration and contemporary graphics. 

Containing the following tales: The Blue Bird; The Half-Chick; The Story of Caliph Stork; The Enchanted Watch; Rosanella; Sylvain and Jocosa; Fairy Gifts; Prince Narcissus and the Princess Potentilla; Prince Featherhead and the Princess Celandine; The Three Little Pigs; Heart of Ice; The Enchanted Ring; The Snuff-box; The Golden Blackbird; The Little Soldier; The Magic Swan; The Dirty Shepherdess; The Enchanted Snake; The Biter Bit; King Kojata; Prince Fickle and Fair Helena; Puddocky; The Story of Hok Lee and the Dwarfs; The Story of the Three Bears; Prince Vivien and the Princess Placida; Little One-eye, Little Two-eyes, and Little Three-eyes; Jorinde and Joringel; Allerleirauh (or, the Many-furred Creature); The Twelve Huntsmen; Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle; The Crystal Coffin; The Three Snake-leaves; The Riddle; Jack my Hedgehog; The Golden Lads; The White Snake; The Story of a Clever Tailor; The Golden Mermaid; The War of the Wolf and the Fox; The Story of the Fisherman and his Wife; The Three Musicians; The Three Dogs. 

Condition

Very good book with the exception of a bumped front lower corner (see photos); pages are clean, bright and tightly bound. Housed in a very good slipcase with some shelf-wear, a bump to rear (consistent with the bump on the board) and a couple of marks.