Lal Behari Dey; Illustrated by Warwick Goble

Folk-Tales of Bengal

USD 625

A richly illustrated edition of Lal Behari Day’s classic collection of Bengal folklore.

[GOBLE, Warwick, illustrator.] DEY, Lal Behari. Folk-Tales of Bengal. London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1912.Quarto, pp. [i-vi] vii-xiv, 273 [274] + [2, publisher's advertisements]. Illustrated with 32 full-page color plates by Warwick Goble, each tipped onto heavy stock paper and protected by captioned tissue guards. Original red cloth, front board and spine elaborately stamped in gilt with intricate geometric and floral patterns, top edge gilt or all edges red. A magnificent copy of the most visually striking edition of Lal Behari Dey's foundational folklore collection. First published without illustrations in 1883, this 1912 edition was completely redesigned by Macmillan to capitalize on the early 20th-century craze for deluxe, beautifully illustrated fairy tale anthologies. This printing is celebrated entirely for the contribution of Warwick Goble (1862–1943), one of the premier watercolorists of the British Golden Age of Illustration. Goble’s 32 delicate plates elegantly capture the exoticism, vibrant costumes, and mythological texture of the 22 traditional Bengali stories. His style perfectly translates the world of rakshasas (demons), enchanted royalty, and clever talking animals into stunning visual narratives that rank among his finest work alongside Green Willow and The Water-Babies. An essential volume for collectors of Golden Age illustrated books and Anglo-Indian literature.

Edition

1912 (First Illustrated Edition)

Condition

Fine

Status

Available