Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland. With Wood Engravings after Drawings by W.H. Brooke. London: John Murray, 1826. Second Edition. Three Volumes. Pp (1) xiv, 326; (2) xii, 326; (3) xxviii, 300. Bound in early half calf, cloth boards; spines richly decorated in gilt with russet title-labels, marbled endpapers. Spines lightly scuffed, scattered spotting to contents pages but overall a very attractive set.

Volume one with a preface by Walter Scott. Volume three with a dedicatory letter from the author to Dr. Wilhelm Grimm, the 19th century German author who, along with brother Jacob, published ‘Grimms’ Fairy Tales,’ a collection classic children’s stories including ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Rapunzel.’

Thomas Crofton Croker was a Corkman of the ascendancy class who roamed the southern countryside collecting tales and folklore. He published his collection anonymously in 1825. The book sold almost 1,000 copies within a week – a bestseller in its day – and in the same year, the brothers Grimm translated it into German, taking some liberties along the way.

A handsome set.