Two Fairy Tales, Arranged in a Dramatic Form. By a Lady.

We were unable to learn much about the author from the resources available to us. Such juvenile theatricals were a popular form of entertainment for middle class families during the nineteenth century, part of which included the creation of sets, costumes, props, etc. In the first tale, “The Flower Spirit,” familiar fantastical characters include a giant, witches, and a good fairy; the author notes the following: “The plot…is founded upon a Fairy tale in Grimm’s collection, entitled Jorinda and Joringel. The introduction of the Flower Spirit was suggested by a charming little poem, published many years ago in the London magazine” (p. 1). The second, “The Fairy Pine,” includes a prince, a demon, fairies, a rich miser, and a poor gardener; the author states, “The plot of the drama is taken from a Fairy Tale in Grimm’s collection called ‘The Turnip’” (p. 31). Small quarto. [4], 84, [16, ads] pp Errata slip tipped in between half-title and title-page. Publisher’s limp purple cloth, front cover lettered in gilt with central gilt floral design, yellow-coated endpapers. All edges gilt. . Cloth a bit soiled, very light rubbing to covers. Minor darkstain to gutter margins of some preliminary leaves and lower and upper margins of last few gatherings. Small tears to lower margin of terminal blank. A very good copy of a scarce work First edition, a theatrical work for juveniles. OCLC lists three copies, one in North America at Florida State University.…