and Other Tales
GLORIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED EDITION DE LUXE
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
Duckworth, 1913.
First edition illustrated by Charles Robinson. Edition de Luxe, number 46 of just 260 copies signed by the illustrator. 4to. Original publisher's parchment with gilt titles and vignettes. Printed throughout on japon. Top edge gilt. Twelve colour plates by Robinson, mounted on japon and protected by captioned tissue guards. Many black and white line drawings throughout the text, occasionally playful cherubs seem to peep out from behind a page corner. A near fine copy, slight browning to the spine, as usual, the japon pages are clean and bright, giving the line drawings a real clarity.
Wilde's first foray into children's literature, apparently thought up to entertain students on a trip to Cambridge in 1885. The book contains five tales, including his best known children's story, "The Selfish Giant". These are wistful tales, often with a strong moral message, rather in the style of early fairy tales, rather than the flights of fantasy popular at the time.
"[Wilde's] reputation as an author dated from the publication of the Happy Prince and Other Tales in London in May 1888. The Athenaeum compared him to Hans Christian Andersen, and Pater wrote to say that 'The Selfish Giant' was 'perfect in its kind,' and the whole book written in 'pure English' - a wonderful compliment." - Richard Ellmann (Oscar Wilde)
Stock ID: 40797
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