Second edition of an illustrated selection from the original Arabic, Persian and other fairy folk tales, such as "The fisherman and the genie", "Ali Baba and the forty thieves" "The story of the magic horse" and "The story of the princess of Deryabar", retold by the artist and writer Laurence Housman (1865-1959). The popular Persian fairy folk tales are beautifully illustrated with 50 colour plates, drawn by Edmund Dulac (1882-1953). Dulac assured his status as artist when he was commissioned by Hodder and Stoughton to illustrate this edition of the Arabian Nights because of his affinity to and skill in oriental design. The book was especially a showcase for the talent of Dulac, who "made a major contribution to the popularity of the Nights and had a strong influence on other illustrators" (The Arabian Nights Encyclopedia). These graceful illustrations and the mysterious fairy folk tales appeal to ones imagination and so the book became very popular.
Binding slightly rubbed, spine cracked, but still in good condition, especially the illustrations. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography; The Arabian nNights eEncylopedia I, p. 32; The Arabian nNights illustrated: Art of Dulac, Folkard, Parrish and oOthers, p. 41; for Dulac and Housman: ODNB.