1901 The Reign of Old King Cole - Illustrated by Charles Robinson

In excellent condition, here is a beautiful antique hardback copy of The Reign of Old King Cole. Being a first edition, first impression published in 1901 by JM Dent & Co., London in their True Annals of Fairyland series. Considered a notable work from the Golden Age of illustration. Richly illustrated throughout by Charles Robinson, a master of the Art Nouveau style. These depict magical creatures and the kingdoms of fairyland. This copy is filled with line drawn illustrations, often in ornate decorative borders. With superb illustrated boards, colour frontispiece and title page also. An exceptionally clean, bright and square copy. Definitely the best one I have seen.

*At time of writing I also have a matching copy of The Reign of King Oberon (see final photo).*

The Reign of King Cole is a collection of fairy tales framed by a narrative about the legendary "merry old soul" himself. The book presents a "true" history of King Cole’s court, where travellers and ambassadors are so delighted by the king’s hospitality that they often forget to leave. King Cole, a monarch of boundless joy, presides over a court where his three merry fiddlers and various guests entertain him by telling extraordinary stories. While framed as original "annals," the book actually compiles retellings of famous tales from sources like: Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm; The Arabian Nights; Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels/Brobdingnag); Charles and Mary Lamb.

Inside the pages are in very good condition. With just the occasional spot and dark handling mark. Opens onto decorative endpapers. With an inscription dated 1904 to the front free endpaper. All edges are gilt.

With decoration to the boards front and back, and to spine. Accented in gilt. Again in top order. Just the very slightest of rubbing to the edges and spine ends. Some very faint dark marks on the back and a couple of light scuffs to spine - but all of these are minor and this is an extremely attractive book.

Your antique copy of The Reign of King Cole will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to include a gift card with a message.

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H 19 cm x W 14 cm, 338 pages, 0.55 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped and sent simply in the full packaging please add a note to the order.

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