Fairy Gold - A Book of Old English Fairy Tales - Illustrated by Herbert Cole

Fairy Gold: A Book of Old English Fairy Tales was compiled by Ernest Rhys (1859 - 1946) and illustrated by Herbert Cole (1867 - 1930). Rhys was a famed writer and editor - best known for his role as founder of the 'Everyman's Library', a series of affordable classics. Rhys was passionate about English folkloric tradition, and making such wonderful works of literature accessible to the common people. The book starts with a quotation from Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale, informing the reader that: 'This is fairy Gold boy; and t'will prove so...' From here on in, it is a text to amuse, delight, scare and inform - all in equal measures - for young and old alike. Fairy Gold contains a set of wonderful black and white illustrations by Herbert Cole, as well as such well-known tales as The Three Bears , Tom Thumb , Jack and the Beanstalk and The Mermaid as well as other, near-forgotten English stories such as The Fairy Fair , Mr and Mrs Vinegar , The King and the Vipers and Queen Mab s Good Grace. The text appears in its original translation, ensuring that none of the work s initial brilliance is lost. Pook Press celebrates the great Golden Age of Illustration in children s literature a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration from the 1880s to the 1930s. Our collection showcases classic fairy tales, children s stories, and the work of some of the most celebrated artists, illustrators and authors.