Andrew Lang FBA (31 March 1844 – 20 July 1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and contributor to the field of anthropology. He is best known as a collector of folk and fairy tales including The Langs’ Fairy Books, a series of 25 collections of true and fictional stories for children published between 1889 and 1910 by Andrew Lang and his wife, Leonora Blanche Alleyne. The best known books of the series are the 12 collections of fairy tales also known as Andrew Lang’s “Coloured” Fairy Books or Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books of Many Colors. In all, the volumes feature 798 stories, besides the 153 poems in The Blue Poetry Book. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples and price guides of books by Andrew Lang including a complete set of first edition Fairy Books in original cloth bindings.
A complete set of first editions of all 12 of Andrew Lang’s famous series of Fairy Books, all in their original cloth bindings decorated in gilt.
Sold for GBP 6,875 inc. premium at Christie’s in 2019
The Crimson Fairy Book, first edition, plates and illustrations by H.J. Ford, 8 in colour, some slight cracking at gutter, original pictorial crimson cloth, gilt, very lightly rubbed, mostly to spine ends and corners, overall a bright and clean copy, g.e., 8vo, 1903.
Sold for £260 at Forum Auctions in 2023
1906 Fairy Tales 1st ed Orange Fairy Book Andrew Lang Ugly Duckling Magic Mirror
Sold for US$355 at Schilb Antiquarian Rare Books in 2024
Lang, Andrew ‘The Olive Fairy Book’. Longmans, Green, and Company, London 1907 1st Edition. With numerous color and black and white illustrations by H.J. Ford. Hardback book with green cloth boards with gold lettering and illustrations, gilt edges. 336pgs.
Weight Approx., 1.5lbs
Measures Approx., 4.75″x7.5″x1.25″ thick.
Sold for US$500 at Global Auctions Company in 2022
Pink Fairy Book, Illustrated by Andrew Lang
With numerous black and white illustrations by Andrew Lang. (8vo) pink cloth pictorially illustrated and titled in gilt, all edges gilt. First Edition.
Sold for US$300 at PBA Galleries in 2022