Antique c1890 Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales Ward Lock Ornate Gilded Victorian Book For Sale

The title page notes: “With One Hundred Full-page and other Engravings.” The book also includes a biographical introduction, “The Life of Hans Christian Andersen,” followed by a large selection of Andersen’s classic tales. The front endpaper has a period gift inscription dated Xmas 1903, so the book is certainly pre-1903. Undated by the publisher, but best estimated c.1890s.

Includes many beloved tales such as The Fir Tree, The Swineherd, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Snow Queen, The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina, and many more.

Details:

• Title: Fairy Tales / Andersen’s Fairy Tales
• Author: Hans Christian Andersen
• Publisher: Ward, Lock & Co., Limited
• Publication Cities: London, New York and Melbourne
• Date: Undated, estimated c.1890s; pre-1903 gift inscription
• Binding: Original decorated hardcover cloth
• Pages: 525 pp.
• Illustrations: 100 full-page and in-text engravings
• Cover: Gilt titles with illustrated fairy/fantasy decoration to front and spine

Condition:

Good antique condition overall with honest age and wear. Original cloth boards show surface marks, scuffs, scratches, bumped corners, and edge wear. The spine has attractive gilt and illustrated decoration, but the head and tail are worn with fraying, small tears, and cloth loss, especially at the top. Hinges are cracking, binding is shaken, and some page gatherings are beginning to gap. There appears to be an amateur glue repair at the rear hinge.

Interior is generally bright and very readable with light foxing, age toning, occasional marks, smudges, and handling wear. Front endpaper has a period gift inscription dated Xmas 1903. Just a well-loved Victorian fairy-tale book that has clearly been read, gifted, shelved, and survived.

A very displayable antique Andersen volume with terrific decorative binding, strong shelf appeal, and loads of Victorian storybook charm.