Folk tales from India.

‘Indian Fairy Tales’ is a collection of twenty-nine classic Indian stories, collated by Joseph Jacobs, and accompanied by the masterful black-and-white illustrations of John D. Batten. It includes such tales as ‘The Lion and the Crane’, ‘How the Raja’s Son won the Princess Labam’, ‘The Magic Fiddle’, ‘The Tiger, the Brahman and the Jackal’, ‘The Soothsayer’s Son’, ‘The Gold-giving Serpent’, 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. Heavily influenced by the Brothers Grimm and the romantic nationalism ubiquitous in his contemporary folklorists, Jacobs was responsible for introducing English fairy tales to English children, who had previously chiefly enjoyed those derived from French and German 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, his illustrations further refine and elucidate Joseph Jacob’s enchanting narratives. Pook Press celebrates the great ‘Golden Age of Illustration‘ in children’s classics and fairy tales – a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration. 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.

This collection, Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights presents a re-telling of some classic Middle Eastern and South Asian folk tales by E. Dixon – beautifully illustrated by John D. Batten. Whilst the narratives differ greatly in their origins, characters, and motifs – they all stem from the initial ‘frame story’ of the ruler Shahryār, and his wife Scheherazade. She tells a different tale each night, never revealing the ending – in order that the King may spare her life.... Tales within this book include: ‘The King of Persia and the Princess of the Sea’, ‘Prince Beder and the Princess Giauhara’, The Three Princes and Princess Nouronnihar’, ‘Prince Ahmed and the Fairy’, ‘Prince Camaralzaman and the Princess of China’, ‘The Loss of the Talisman’, ‘ The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor’ and others. John Dickson Batten (1860-1932) was a British painter, illustrator and print maker,who was a leading light in the Art Nouveau movement. He illustrated a series of fairy tale books written by Joseph Jacobs as well as this English language version of Arabian Nights, and Dante’s Inferno. His illustrations are strongly influenced by the printmakers of Japan and are characterised by an intense romanticism and refined technique. Presented alongside this text, Batten’s enchanting creations serve to further refine and enhance the classic Arabian storytelling. Pook Press celebrates the great 'Golden Age of Illustration' in children's classics and fairy tales - a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration. 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.

Fairy Tales From The Arabian Nights Illustrations By John Dickson Batten