"A MASTER OF THE FANTASTIC AND EXOTIC": STORIES FROM HANS ANDERSEN, ILLUSTRATED AND SIGNED BY EDMUND DULAC

(DULAC, Edmund) ANDERSEN, Hans Christian. Stories from Hans Andersen. London: Hodder & Stoughton, (1911). Folio (10-1/2 by 12-1/2 inches), original full vellum, elaborately gilt-decorated spine and covers, patterned endpapers, top edge gilt, uncut, later silk ties. Housed in a custom half morocco slipcase. $5500.

Signed limited edition, number 539 of 750 copies signed by Dulac, with 28 wonderful mounted color plates, bound in original vellum-gilt. A beautiful copy.

"Dulac was one of the central illustrators of the Edwardian period, a time when fantasy illustration reached a peak of sophistication" (Clute & Grant, 300). "Dulac remained true to the medium of watercolor, and the critics were unanimous in their praise. He was recognized as an illustrator of first rank, a master of the fantastic and exotic, and 'a dreamer of extraordinary dreams'… Among the 28 color plates in [this volume] are several of the artist's most loved and celebrated illustrations: 'The Little Mermaid,' 'The Emperor's New Clothes' and 'The Princess and the Pea'" (Dalby, 82-83). This collection also includes "The Wind's Tale," "The Nightingale" and "The Snow Queen." Without original cardboard slipcase. Hughey 27a.

Plates fine, a few spots of marginal soiling to interior, vellum quite lovely. A very nearly fine signed copy.