Description

Celtic Fairy Tales – Illustrated by John D. Batten

‘Celtic Fairy Tales’ is a collection of twenty-six classic stories from mainland Europe and the British isles, collected by Joseph Jacobs, and accompanied by the masterful black-and-white illustrations of John D. Batten. It includes such tales as ‘Connlaand the Fairy Maiden’, ‘Guleesh’, ‘The Field of Boliauns’, ‘The Horned Women’, ‘Conal Yellowclaw’, ‘The Sprightly Tailor’, and many more. Joseph Jacobs (1854 – 1916), was an Australian folklorist, literary critic, historian and writer of English literature, who became a notable collector and publisher of English folklore.

John Dickson Batten (1860 – 1932), was a British figure painter, as well as a book illustrator and printmaker. He illustrated almost all of Jacob’s works, including, English Fairy Tales (1890), Celtic Fairy Tales (1892), Indian Fairy Tales (1912), and European Folk and Fairy Tales (1916). In addition, Batten is also celebrated for his delicately rendered imaginings of Arabian Nights and Dante’s Inferno. Presented alongside the text of ‘Celtic Fairy Tales’, his illustrations further refine and elucidate Joseph Jacob’s enchanting narratives.

---

With works such as Celtic Fairy Tales, Pook Press celebrates the great ‘Golden Age of Illustration‘ in children’s literature – a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration from the 1880s to the 1930s.

Our collection showcases classic fairy tales, children’s stories, and the work of some of the most celebrated artists, illustrators and authors.

We publish rare and vintage Golden Age illustrated books, in high-quality colour editions, so that the masterful artwork and story-telling can continue to delight both young and old.

On this website, you can find out about some of our best-selling authors, illustrators, and stories. We also have a full bookshop, an introduction to the Golden Age of Illustration, and a history of the fairy tale itself.

Please join our mailing list for exclusive news and offers.