The Book of Nursery Tales

This is a beautifully illustrated vintage copy of "The Book of Nursery Tales" with an Introduction by Compton Mackenzie. Circa 1940's (there is no date of publication stated); Frederick Warne & Co.; London. The book comes with its original dust jacket (the jacket comes with a clear, protective sleeve - not shown). This edition features wonderful color plates and black & white illustrations by H.M. Brock. Illustrated end papers in color. There are 12 nursery tales in all, as follows: Puss in Boots; Tom Thumb; Cinderella; Hop-o'-my-Thumb; Snowdrop; The Sleeping Beauty; Jack and the Beanstalk; Little Red Riding Hood; Dick Whittington and His Cat; Beauty and the Beast; Valentine and Orson; Jack the Giant Killer.

From the dust jacket: "A collection of the old favourites in the beautiful setting H.M. Brock's delicate brush has provided for them. The rich colour of the plates and the humour and daintiness of the line drawings five new meaning and charm to these familiar masterpieces. In his lively and entertaining introduction, Sir Compton Mackenzie says with regard to fairy tales - "...the older I grow the more firmly I believe that nearly all they tell of really did happen." He also says that when he was young he did not like reading introductions, prefaces and forewords, but hopes that the children will read what he has to say. There are so many items of interest in the introduction to the stories in this book that it would be a great pity to miss reading it."

Condition:
The green cloth has sun-faded at the top and bottom edges of the covers and spine. Sharp cover corners. Tight binding with no cracks and no loose pages. Both covers are firmly attached. Nice interior - the pages are clean and appear unread with only some light foxing to some of the illustrated color plates, and to the title page. Light foxing/tanning to the end papers. Overall the book is in Very Good condition. The dust jacket has small tears at the bottom edge of the back cover; light stain at the right edge of the front cover; the spine has faded a bit; the price has been clipped from the front flap; there is a bit of light pencil writing at the top of the front flap...overall the jacket is in Good condition. (The dust jacket comes with a clear protective sleeve - not shown.)