HANS ANDERSEN’S FAIRY TALES (1913) – Illustrated by W. Heath Robinson

Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales (1913), published by Constable & Co., is a beautifully illustrated edition of selected tales by the legendary Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. This volume features the distinctive and imaginative artwork of W. Heath Robinson, whose illustrations bring charm, whimsy, and subtle humor to Andersen’s magical world.

The collection includes many of Andersen’s most beloved stories, such as The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Snow Queen, The Little Mermaid, and The Tinderbox. Andersen’s tales blend delicate fantasy with deep emotional and moral undertones, making them enduring favorites for readers of all ages. His ability to convey themes of transformation, resilience, love, and loss through seemingly simple narratives is what makes his work timeless.

W. Heath Robinson’s contribution to this edition elevates it beyond a traditional fairy tale collection. Best known for his later humorous depictions of overly complicated contraptions, Robinson was, in his early career, a gifted illustrator of children’s books and fantastical literature. His illustrations in Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales demonstrate remarkable versatility—balancing grace, atmosphere, and a touch of playfulness. His detailed black-and-white drawings are rich in texture and tone, often filled with imaginative flourishes that draw the viewer deeper into the fairy tale realm.

About the Illustrator
William Heath Robinson (1872–1944) was an English artist and illustrator renowned for both his early fairy tale illustrations and his later satirical drawings of elaborate imaginary machines. In the first decades of the 20th century, Robinson illustrated a wide range of classic literature, including works by Shakespeare, Rabelais, and Kipling. His illustrations combined precision, fantasy, and a gentle wit. Though he later became famous for comic inventions, his fairy tale illustrations, like those in this Andersen edition, remain some of his most artistically accomplished and atmospherically rich works.

Recommended for Collectors

• The Water Babies (1915) illustrated by W. Heath Robinson – Another example of his ethereal fantasy style
• Andersen’s Fairy Tales (1916) illustrated by Harry Clarke – For a darker, more Gothic interpretation
• Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (1909) illustrated by Arthur Rackham – A classic collection brought to life with eerie and expressive illustrations.
• Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales (1911), illustrated by Edmund Dulac – A luxurious edition of Andersen tales with Dulac’s dreamlike, jewel-toned images.

Art Gallery: W. Heath Robinson – Andersen’s Fairy Tales 1913