THE DREAM OF LITTLE TUK AND OTHER TALES

London: Grant and Griffith, 1848. Very good.. First edition of this early collection in English of Andersen's new fairy tales, including six appearing in English for the first time. Fresh off Andersen's successful visit to England, the Danish author saw some of his latest work translated into English for a hungry reading public of children and adults alike. Charles Boner was one of three translators who first brought Andersen's work to English readers; this book includes an encouraging introduction to young readers, quoting conversations between Andersen and Boner. The collection contains the first English translations of "The Little Match-Girl," "Little Tuk," "The Shadow," "The Two Neighbouring Families," "The Darning Needle," and "The Old Street-Lamp" (all of which had first appeared in Danish the same year, with the exception of "The Little Match-Girl" from 1845). Octavo. 6.25'' x 3.75''. Original full green cloth, elaborately blind-stamped ornamental borders, gilt-lettered spine. Yellow endpapers, all edges gilt. Illustrated with four tinted lithographs after Franz Graf von Pocci. Translated by Charles Boner. Publisher's catalogue at rear. xx, 115, [1], 24 pages. Housed in a custom blue cloth clamshell box with blue goatskin spine label. Hinges expertly repaired, spine sunned, bumping to corners and spine extremities. Ring mark affecting first two pages, otherwise text generally clean and plates brighter than usual.