The Blue Fairy Book

5C edited by Andrew Lang, illustrations by H. J. Ford, London: Longmans, Green, and Co. 1895. Seventh Edition.

Notes

The Blue Fairy Book, published in 1889, was the first volume in Andrew Lang’s famous Rainbow Fairy Book series. It is a collection of folk and fairy tales from various cultures around the world, featuring stories that were meant to entertain as well as convey moral lessons. The stories in this book are drawn from European and Middle Eastern traditions, with popular tales like “Cinderella,” “The Twelve Brothers,” and “The Three Little Pigs,” as well as lesser-known stories from places like Persia and Russia.

Lang's editorial work helped to preserve and share these fairy tales with a broader audience, particularly children. The Blue Fairy Book became one of Lang’s most beloved and successful volumes, introducing many young readers to the magical world of folklore. It set the tone for the rest of his Rainbow Fairy Book series, which continued to explore diverse cultural narratives, and remains a classic example of Victorian-era fairy tale anthologies. The stories are accompanied by illustrations by Henry Justice Ford, which are now considered iconic representations of the tales.

Description

Marbled boards with three quarter blue leather. Five raised bands with gilt embossed elements in each compartment except the second and third which showcases gilt lettering. Marbled endpapers. Many illustrations throughout. Eight colored plates. Gilt top edge. Some sun-fading to the spine, otherwise pristine condition.