The Maker of Fairy Tales - with - Fairy Tales - Hans Christian Andersen, Fritz Kredel (illustrator)

1942 - The Limited Editions Club, New York - First Kredel Edition, Limited to 1500 copies, of which this is no. 294, signed by Jean Hersholt and Fritz Kredel
A sumptuous two volume collection, containing twenty nine of Andersen’s beloved fairy tales, including such favourites as The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Princess and the Pea, and The Emperor’s New Clothes, together with Denmark's Ugly Duckling - the story of Hans Christian Andersen.

The
Thirteen Stories by Andersen, and correspondence offering a fascinating insight into his life, thoughts and career.

Beautifully bound by Bayntun-Riviere, and illustrated by Fritz Kredel with hand-coloured drawings and sketches.
 
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Price HK$ 23,000



Advice from a Lady of Quality to her Children - Louis-Antoine Caraccioli, Samuel Glasse (translator)

1778 - Printed by R. Raikes and Sold by J. F. and C. Rivington, Glocester - First Edition in English
An extremely rare first edition of this 18th century ‘Tuesdays With Morrie’, first published in 1769 as ’Les adieux de la Maréchale de *** à ses enfants’. Two pretty little volumes In 18th century full calf bindings.

A popular courtesy book written in a series of twenty one ‘conferences’ held between mother, her daughter and sons. Topics covered during these conferences include Virtue, Pride, Generosity, Female Conduct, Friendship, Love of Truth, Brotherly Love, Study, Pleasure, Ambition, Vanity, Relative Duty, Patriotism, Social Duties.

Unlike most courtesy books, Caraccioli's has the semblance of a plot and reads somewhat like a novel, which ends with the death of the main character.
Advice from a Lady went through numerous later editions in England and America.

The Translator, Samuel Glasse, dedicates this work to Queen Charlotte (1744-1818), consort of King George III of Great Britain.
 
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Price HK$ 11,000



Alice's Adventures In Wonderland - with - Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There - Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]

1874 - Macmillan and Co., London - Early Editions
“Whilst Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass were intended for children “fresh from God’s hand”, it is equally enthralling and delightfully magical for adults as they follow Alice on her vibrant adventures escorted by her famous companions. Who can possibly not have been carried away into the fantastically crazy world of the Mad Hatter? Or never have heard of Tweedledee and Tweedledum? Who cannot have been struck by Carroll’s love for sophisticated play with words?.” - Stephanie Chan.

A finely bound pair, in which Tenniel’s illustrations, 42 in
Wonderland and 50 in Looking-Glass, perfectly capture Alice’s upside-down world and are considered to be his finest and most enduring achievement. 
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Price HK$ 50,000



The Story of Ferdinand - Munro Leaf, Robert Lawson (illustrator)

1936 - The Viking Press, New York - First Edition
A superior first edition of this high point in 20th century children's literature, in a better than usually encountered first issue dust jacket.

Ferdinand, the Bull who preferred to smell the flowers, quickly became popular, striking a chord of anti-fight in a world infected by war. Banned by Franco and burned in Nazi Germany. Translated into over 60 languages and made into an Oscar winning animated film by Disney in 1938.

Once upon a time in Spain there was a little bull and his name was Ferdinand. 
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Price HK$ 60,000



The Pooh Books - When We Were Very Young; Winnie the Pooh; Now We Are Six; and The House at Pooh Corner - A. A. Milne, Ernest H. Shepard (illustrator)

1924 to 1928 - Methuen &, London - First Editions
'Pooh looked at his two paws. He knew that one of them was the right, and he knew that when you had decided which one of them was the right, then the other one was the left, but he never could remember how to begin.'

A lovely set of the Pooh books, finely bound in full morocco leather to match their respective original published colours, and housed in custom made felt-lined slipcase.

I often wish I were a King, And then I could do anything.
If only I were King of Spain, I’d take my hat off in the rain.
If I were King of Norroway, I’d ask an elephant to stay.
If I were King of Timbuctoo, I’d think of lovely things to do.
 
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Price HK$ 55,000



Five Children And It - E. Nesbit

1902 - T. Fisher Unwin, London - First Edition
A fine first edition of this brilliant story exquisitely bound by Bayntun-Riviere of Bath, wonderfully enhanced with forty-six black and white illustrations by H. R. Millar.

Cyril, Athena, Robert, Jane, and baby brother, Lamb, are exploring the land around the house their parents have rented for the summer when they find the sandpit. They decide to dig a hole straight through to Australia. Their plan is interrupted when Athena discovers a magical creature hiding in the sand. It is a Psammead, and it can grant wishes.

The children stood around the hole looking at the creature they had found. It was worth looking at. Its eyes were on long horns like a snail's eyes, and it could move them in and out like telescopes; it had ears like a bat's ears, and its tubby body was shaped like a spider's and covered with thick soft fur; its legs and arms were furry too, and it had hands and feet like a monkey's.’

Psammead:
I am a Sand Fairy!
Jane: A Sand Fairy? I thought fairies had little ballet dresses and wings and wands.
Psammead: What on earth have you been reading?
Jane: I'll call you Sandy.
Psammead: Why?
Jane: Because we found you in the sand.
Psammead: You're so funny. Have your parents tried boiling you? 
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Price HK$ 15,000



The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle - Beatrix Potter

1905 - F. Warne &, London - First Edition, First or Second Printing
A superior and thus rare example of the first edition, first or second printing (both being identical).

Once upon a time there was a little girl called Lucie, who lived at a farm called Little-town.

One of Beatrix Potter’s most successful characters, inspired by her pet hedgehog of the same name, and Kitty MacDonald a Scottish washerwoman.
 
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Price HK$ 15,000



1912 - John Lane, London - New Edition
A finely bound, delightful compilation of illustrated poems and verses from beloved children’s author, Robert Louis Stevenson, recalling the joys of his childhood, from sailing boats down a river, to flying through the air on a swing and being tucked into bed for a night of sweet dreams. With stunning art-nouveau illustrations and decorations throughout by Charles Robinson. 
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Price HK$ 5,500