Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen. London: George Harrap & Co., [1916]. First Edition. Limited Issue. Bound in white vellum stamped in gilt, with oval design of a girl to upper cover, top edge gilt others untrimmed. Housed in custom-made slipcase. Foxing (brown spotting) to preliminary leaves (common in this edition), & mottling to spine. Overall a nice bright copy.

 Illustrated with sixteen mounted colour plates tipped-in on Japanese vellum, title page design and twenty-five vignettes, by Harry Clarke

One of 125 Numbered Copies, Signed by Harry Clarke.

The rare limited edition of Clarke’s decorative interpretation of Andersen’s tales. ‘There is a brightness and energy to these pictures that may have derived from the fact that this was Clarke’s first book and he was happy to be paid for his artistry. Clarke has offered a genuine view of the Andersen’s tales but seen through his special and highly unusual view of the world.’ [Steenson A.1a].