Andersen’s Fairy Tales – J.J.A. Goeverneur – A.W. Sijthoff Leiden – 1882

Antique Dutch edition of Andersen's Sprookjes, based on the famous fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and retold by the Dutch writer and translator J.J.A. Goeverneur. The book was published by A.W. Sijthoff in Leiden and dates from 1882 or earlier.

A particularly interesting clue to the dating is found at the beginning of the book. The flyleaf bears a historical ownership inscription dated October 1, 1882. The copy was therefore already in possession and use at that time. This is consistent with bibliographic sources that date Goeverneur's edition of Andersen's Sprookjes by Sijthoff from 1882 onwards.

The edition is richly illustrated. In addition to black-and-white illustrations, the book contains full-page color plates produced using chromolithographic color printing. The color plates bear the printer's mark of P.W.M. Trap, a Leiden printer known for his color printing.

The original publisher's binding is also particularly decorative. The binding features a rich geometric and floral ornament in multiple colors, black decoration, and gold-colored accents. The combination of the decorated binding and color plates is characteristic of the more luxurious illustrated children's books from the last quarter of the 19th century.

The book is in clearly used antique condition. The text block is partially detached from the binding, and several gatherings have come loose. The binding, pages, and edges show wear, discoloration, and other signs of age. This condition is visible in the photos and has been taken into account in the pricing.

An attractive early Dutch Andersen edition with a contemporary ownership inscription from 1882, interesting for collectors of Hans Christian Andersen, J.J.A. Goeverneur, historical children's books, chromolithography, and 19th-century book illustration.

Specifications

• Title: Andersen's Sprookjes
• Original author: Hans Christian Andersen
• Retold by: J.J.A. Goeverneur
• Publisher: A.W. Sijthoff
• Place: Leiden
• Date: 1882 or earlier
• Dated inscription: October 1, 1882
• Period: late 19th century
• Language: Dutch
• Type: fairy tale book / children's book
• Binding: bound
• Binding: original richly decorated publisher's binding
• Illustrations: black-and-white illustrations and full-page color plates
• Color plate technique: chromolithography
• Color plate printer's mark: P.W.M. Trap
• Height: approx. 21.5 cm
• Thickness: approx. 1.5 cm
• Condition: used antique condition; text block partially detached from the binding and several gatherings loose; wear and discoloration consistent with age
• Special feature: historical ownership inscription dated October 1, 1882