Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen. London: George Harrap & Co., [1916]. First Edition. Publisher’s grey cloth, pictorial boards. Light wear to head of spine, otherwise a nice bright copy.

The first trade edition of Clarke’s decorative interpretation of Andersen’s tales. Illustrated with sixteen mounted colour plates tipped-in on Japanese vellum, title page design and twenty-five vignettes, by Harry Clarke.

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. Clarke has offered a genuine view of the Andersen’s tales but seen through his special and highly unusual view of the world. Striking work. [Steenson A.1a].

Harry Clarke gained a reputation for his stained glass window designs. As part of his studies he spent time in Paris under the tutelage of fellow stained glass designer, Ernest Taylor and his wife, the book illustrator, Jessie M King. His book illustrations are in the same style as his window designs, which can be seen today in many churches and most famously in Bewleys Café, Grafton Street, Dublin. His work is reminiscent of the style of Aubrey Beardsley.