Four Fairy Tales vols. designed by Jessie Marion King 1903-1905 | 1st Edition

$299.00

Four Fairy Tales volumes: The Arabian Nights, Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare, Grimm’s Fairy Tales & Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales. Binding designed by Jessie M. King.

Andersen’s Fairy Tales. Published by George Routledge & Sons, London nd. (1903). 8vo, gilt decorated blue cloth, spine sunned with edges wears. Front hinge cracked, lacks front flyleaf, binding tight. 4 colour plates by A.W. Bayes & 60 B/W illustrations. Good.
Tales from Shakespeare. Published by George Routledge & Sons, London nd. (1904). 8vo, gilt decorated red cloth, spine sunned with edges wears, small chipping to edge of spine as seen in the pictures. Lacks front flyleaf, binding tight. Four colour plates by Sir John Gilbert. Good.
The Arabian Nights’ Entertainment. Published by George Routledge & Sons, London 1904. 8vo, gilt decorated olive cloth, spine sunned with edges wears. Binding tight. Four colour plates by A..W. Cooper. Good+.
Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Published by George Routledge & Sons, London nd. (1903). 8vo, gilt decorated olivse cloth, spine sunned with edges wears. Binding tight, clean. Four colour plates by Nister & 12 B/W illustrations by E.H. Weihert. Good+.

Jessie M. King (1875–1949), a Scottish illustrator associated with the Glasgow School and the Art Nouveau movement, created enchanting, ethereal cover designs for fairy tales that are instantly recognizable for their delicate linework, dreamlike quality, and whimsical figures. Her covers often feature:

Notable Fairy Tale Editions:

Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales (Early 20th century) – King’s covers often depicted Andersen’s melancholic tales (e.g., The Little Mermaid) with haunting beauty.
The High History of the Holy Graal (1903) – Her Grail illustrations blend Celtic and medieval influences.
Grimm’s Fairy Tales – Some editions feature her signature “girlhood” aesthetic, with heroines like Rapunzel in swirling, decorative compositions.

Collector’s Note:

King’s work is highly sought after by vintage book collectors. Look for early 1900s editions published by T.C. & E.C. Jack or Gowans & Gray, where her art shines.

For fans of: Kay Nielsen’s Nordic fairy tale art, Arthur Rackham’s gothic whimsy, or Edmund Dulac’s Orientalist fantasies.