ICELANDIC LEGENDS

Early edition. Contemporary half leather with five raised bands, gilt titles and decorative borders to the spine, marbled paper to the upper and lower boards. All edges marbled. Illustrated with 28 black and white engravings designed by Johann Baptist Zwecker, Jules Worms and others. A very good copy, the binding square and firm, with rubbing and wear to the spine, spine hinges and the extremities of the boards. There is a previous owner's inscription to a flyleaf, spotting to the prelims and a few light marks throughout, the contents are otherwise clean.

Icelandic librarian and museum director Jón Árnason (1819-1888) was inspired by the work of the Brothers Grimm to compile the first collection of Icelandic folk tales, which he did with the help of his friend Magnus Grimsson. His extensive collection, which contains many stories about elves, is believed to have influenced the elven race in J. R. R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings'.