1907 1st Edition - The Welsh Fairy Book - Illustrated Antique Book

In very good condition, here is a scarce, first edition copy of The Welsh Fairy Book by W Jenkyn Thomas. Being a true first, published in 1907 by T. Fisher Unwin, London. A highly collectable gem from the Golden Age of Illustration and of Art Nouveau design. With illustrations and decorations throughout by Willy Pogany. Condition in detail below.

One of Pogany's earliest commissions. He personally designed every page layout. He insisted on printing the running headers, page numbers, and massive, stylized initial drop-caps in a striking crimson red ink throughout the entire text. Packed with a staggering number of full-page designs and intricate text-vignettes. His style here is incredibly fluid, blending haunting Celtic folklore motifs with organic, curving Art Nouveau lines.

In 1907, T. Fisher Unwin spared no expense on the first printing, using custom metallic silver and gold shimmer inks for the illustrated endpapers. This was a notoriously difficult and expensive printing process at the turn of the century. The ink was prone to smudging during binding and expensive to ink correctly. Because it was so costly, the publisher stripped the metallic shimmer out of subsequent printings almost immediately. Later editions feature flat, dull grey line work. For a collector, those shimmering endpapers are the ultimate badge of a premium, uncompromised first state.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound. Spotting to the early and latter couple of pages, and occasionally the odd spot and faint brown blemish in the text. Has the colour frontispiece with tissue-guard. This has a couple of spots. The remaining illustrations are all in crimson and black. A couple of folded corner tips. Inked-inscription, dated 1907, to the verso of the half-title, but no other writing or markings of previous ownership.

Blue cloth-backed boards have red, green and grey decoration to the front and spine. Shiny gilt titles. Again in very good order. The spine has darkened a little. Mild shelf-wear to the front. Has a faint black ink mark to the top rear corner (see photos), and one thin scratch. A little rubbing to the corners, spine ends and joints. A couple of small holes in the cloth on the back joint. Slight fraying to the spine head - but minor.

A lovely example.

Your first edition copy of The Welsh Fairy Book will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged with tracking and insurance. I am always happy to include a gift message in the parcel if desired.

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H 21 cm x W 15.5 cm, 311 pages, 0.62 kg. I dispatch daily from the UK.

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

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