East of the Sun, West of the Moon
[London]: Hodder & Stoughton, [1914]. Nielsen, Kay. First Edition. Hardcover. First trade edition, quarto size, 207 pp. Very good. Item #24100601
Kay Rasmus Nielsen (1886-1957), was born in Denmark hearing the traditional Norse fairy tales related by his mother, studied art in Paris, and moved to London in1911. His artwork brought immediate critical acclaim with his first illustrated book, "In Powder and Crinoline" being published in 1913.
However, it was this work, "East of the Sun, West of the Moon", which, "[b]y general consent, [is his] most spectacular and celebrated." One of his admirers, Martin Birnbaum, wrote of this book: "His most intricate inventions never seem laboured. Controlled in a measure by Norse ornamental traditions, he reaches an absolute equality with the poetical text..." (Dalby, p. 90).
Nielsen's style was heavily influenced by Japanese art, and his artwork "unite[s] strong linearity with delicate colouring. For example, the heroine of 'Prince Lindworm'...kneels in a perfect arc of physiologically impossible grace before a tree whose weeping branches echo her curves." (Zipes, p. 341).
Sadly, Nielsen's later years were marked with poverty, as his artwork was no longer in demand after WWII. If only he could know what a great gift his talents have given, and what joy his art has brought to so many.
___DESCRIPTION: Bound in dark blue cloth over boards, gilt lettering and elaborate designs on the front panel and spine, richly decorated endpapers by Nielsen in black and gold, illustrated and bordered title page in black, lettered tissue-guarded frontispiece one of twenty-five full colour illustrations bound in throughout, each tipped at the gutter edge onto heavy paper with borders of black and gold, in addition to the colour illustrations there are numerous black-and-white line in-text line drawings and decorations on every page, with each story opening with a three-line initial capital; binding is quarto size (11 3/8" by 9"), pagination: [i, title page with blank verso] [1-8] 9-205 [206].
___CONDITION: Very good overall, the boards clean, we had a professional (name available upon request) restore the joints and some damage to the spine and corners, the volume is now sturdily bound, the hinges are solid, the inside is clean other than two leaves with some offsetting from something laid in at some point in the past (not affecting any illustrations), and the sole prior owner marking we see a name lightly written at the top of the front free endpaper; the front board slightly bowed and some soil on the bottom edge of the text block. Overall a near fine interior with a good, but now sturdy, binding.
___CITATIONS: Loker no. 66; Dalby, pp. 89-91; Zipes, pp. 339-341.
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.
___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help. v.
Price: $2,250.00