Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen. Illustrated by Harry Clarke. New York: Brentano’s, [1930]. Publisher’s pale green cloth boards, lettered and with drawing in black to upper cover & spine. A nice bright copy.

Illustrated with 40 plates in both coloured & black & white.

Harry Clarke’s decorative interpretation of Andersen’s tales, first published by in London by George Harrap in 1916.

There is a brightness and energy to these pictures that may have derived from the fact that this was Clarke’s first book and he was happy to be paid for his artistry

Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was a famed Irish book illustrator and stained glass artist. Born in Dublin, he was a leading figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts Movement.