[1909]. 76pp with colour plate frontispiece and many full page and in text monochrome lines drawings and illustrations. Decorated endpapers. In illustrated, green cloth-covered boards with coloured and black lettering front and spine (cloth with worn, rubbed at edges, heavily so at corners and spine ends, spine cracked with portion of backstrip absent, numerous small & mild marks on cloth). Front hinge repaired with tape along the length, tiny hole in front endpaper, gutter strained after endpapers; a few signs of fingering throughout but generally internally neat, clean and bright. 4to. A very hard to find title. Lancelot Speed was a coastal painter who illustrated several books, usually on a fantastical or romantic nature, probably best known for his illustrations of Andrew Lang's Fairy Story books. He was also a pioneer of the British film industry, directing several silent movies and designer of the 1916 silent film of H Rider Haggard's A History of Adventure, which he had illustrated. This collaboration with his wife, Flora, who likely wrote the story, shows off the fanatical nature of his artistry. A beautiful, enchanting and evocative volume, despite its regrettable, less than pretty condition.
Illustrators, Illustrated Books, beautful books, Lancelot Speed, Flora Speed, Film History, Silent Movies
