1916 The Allies' Fairy Book - Rackham Illustrated Antique Book

In very good condition, here is a super antique copy of The Allies' Fairy Book. A First World War–era illustrated fairy‑tale anthology, with twelve colour plates by Arthur Rackham. Undated, but published in 1916 by William Heinemann, London. Condition in detail below.

One of the most collectible Rackham‑illustrated wartime titles and sits firmly within the “Golden Age of Illustration". The book contains thirteen fairy tales drawn from eight Allied nations during WWI: France, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Belgium — (one tale each); England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland — (one tale each); Japan — (three shorter tales). Some later Allied nations are absent because they joined after the book went to press. The anthology was intended as a cultural‑solidarity project, presenting the folklore of the wartime Allies to British and American children.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound, with the occasional handling mark. Has an Ex Libris bookplate on the front paste down, along with another library sticker. Tanning to endpapers. The occasional nicked edge. Has a cracked rear hinge to reveal webbing, but the binding remains good and strong. Top closed edge is tinted blue. Mild tanning and spotting to the other two sides. All twelve plates are present as called for with their tissue guards, and all in great condition. In addition there are Rackham line drawn chapter headers and footer.

Blue cloth over boards have gilt decoration and titles, with dark blue titles to the front. Again in top order. A little rubbing to the cloth on the spine ends and corners. A few light marks to cloth - but minor. Some tanning to the spine.

Your antique copy of The Allies' 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 16 cm, 122 pages, 0.46 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 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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