THE BOOK OF FAIRY POETRY

First edition, first printing and notably the first publication of artwork based on the writing of J. R. R. Tolkien (here illustrating 'Goblin Feet'). Inscribed by Beatrice, Lady Dunsany, wife of Lord Dunsany. Original taupe cloth with titles and decorations to the spine and upper board in navy. Top edge grey. Illustrated endpapers, and 16 tissue-guarded colour plates tipped onto grey card, as well as black and white vignettes by Warwick Goble. A very good copy, the binding firm, the corners and spine tips bumped, the cloth with a few small marks. The contents, with Lady Dunsany's gift inscription to the front flyleaf, slight creasing to the top corner of the text block, spotting to the prelims, closed text-block edge, and faintly to some margins, are otherwise clean throughout. The plate facing page 16 has creasing to the bottom left corner, the plates remain otherwise fine.

A collection of poetry and verse about fairies by authors such as William Shakespeare, John Keats, Andrew Lang, Ben Johnson and J. R. R. Tolkien, all beautifully illustrated by Warwick Goble. This example bears a Christmas 1921 gift inscription by Beatrice Child-Villiers, Lady Dunsany, (wife of the Anglo-Irish writer Lord Dunsany whose work influenced the formation of the modern fantasy genre). to Beatrice Anne Savile, later Lady Beatrice Anne Scrope (Daughter of John Henry Savile, 6th Earl of Mexborough and Margaret Eva, Countess of Mexborough).