The Art of Book Design: The Grey Fairy Book

Andrew Lang. The Grey Fairy Book. Illustrations by H.J. Ford. New York, Longmans, Green, 1905.

Grey may not be the most exciting of colours, but the stories in this week’s Andrew Lang fairy book are full of adventure and most of the tales are new to me. The illustrations are the work of H.J. Ford again, and it was difficult to pull a few favourites because all the drawings are beautiful. Beginning next week, the remaining Andrew Lang coloured fairy books have actual coloured illustrations, so you won’t want to miss those. For today, let’s have a look at the lovely black and white drawings that accompany these stories.

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The Art of Book Design: The Yellow Fairy Book.

Andrew Lang. The Yellow Fairy Book. Illustrations by H. J. Ford. London & New York, Longmans, Green, and Co., 1894.

This week’s Andrew Lang book of fairy stories is brought to you by the colour yellow. The illustrations are again done by the talented H. J. Ford and I’ve added my favourites below the fold. There are big birds, dancing dragons, serpents, witches, beautiful maidens, brave dogs and a goat who made me smile. I hope you enjoy

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The Art of Book Design: The Pink Fairy Book

Andrew Lang. The Pink Fairy Book. Illustrated by H. .J. Ford. New York, Longmans, Green, 1897.

 

This week’s Andrew Lang Fairy Book is pink. Bright pink with golden sunshine, angels and cherubs. Inside, the illustrations are again by the talented HJ Ford, and I’ve chosen my favourites to share with you. They include a Japanese tanuki, cats, dogs, baboons, dragons, mermaids and princesses of all sorts.  I’m especially fond of the drawings with wind and water, both of which are difficult to draw, and Ford does it brilliantly. Enjoy.

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