1884 Old Wives' Fables

Description

Decorative Binding, First Edition, Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding

A lovely first English edition of this collection of French fairy tales and fables originally by Edouard Laboulaye, in the publisher's original, highly pictorial cloth.

With two hundred and twenty-five black and white engraved illustrations. 

Laboulaye's fairy tales were originally published for and dedicated to children, but were found to be too sophisticated to be classified as children’s literature or to be read by children. Before including them in books, Laboulaye published most of them in the distinguished Journal des débats (Journal of Debates), a weekly newspaper 'for highly educated readers, who would have noted their political significance.'

Many of Laboulaye’s books were translated in the 19th and early 20th centuries by Mary L. Booth, editor of Harper’s Bazaar, and by an anonymous translator, who was most likely Mary E. Robinson.

With a contemporary ink inscription from 1888 to the front free end paper.