Stories from Hans Andersen (1912), illustrated by Edmund Dulac, is a luxurious collection of fairy tales that pairs the Danish storyteller’s timeless narratives with some of the most exquisite Golden Age illustrations ever created. This edition features Dulac’s signature dreamlike watercolors—rich in jewel tones and Art Nouveau elegance—bringing to life classics like The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen, and The Emperor’s New Clothes.
Dulac’s art transcends mere accompaniment; his ethereal, almost otherworldly style captures Andersen’s blend of wonder and melancholy. The mermaid’s luminous underwater kingdom, the Snow Queen’s icy palace, and the Nightingale’s gilded cage shimmer with intricate detail, while his use of light and shadow heightens the tales’ emotional depth.
Published by Hodder & Stoughton, this volume exemplifies early 20th-century gift-book opulence, with heavy paper, gilt embellishments, and tipped-in color plates. A collector’s treasure, it reflects Dulac’s status as a peer of Arthur Rackham, though his work leans more toward the mystical than the whimsical.
For lovers of illustrated classics:
- Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (Rackham, 1909) – A comparable visual feast.
- The Arabian Nights (Dulac, 1907) – His earlier masterpiece of Orientalist fantasy.
