Ardizzone’s Hans Andersen Fourteen Classic Tales
Selected and illustrated by Edward Ardizzone 
Translated by Stephen Corrin
Preloved, hardcover book with embossed gold detailing and dust jacket. First edition collectors book published in 1978. Very good condition.
The fourteen tales in this selection from the work of Hans Andersen include favourites like The Snow Queen, The Ugly Duckling, The Tinder Box, The Emperor's New Clothes and, of course The Little Mermaid, together with one or two of the shorter, less well-known stories such as The Darning Needle and The Shirt Collar. Stephen Corrin's translation, made with the help of two Danish librarians, is as faithful to the original as is possible, so that the book offers not only a fine sample of the work of Hans Andersen the storyteller, but also reflects his own approach to life. He never lost his love for the poor people of Denmark to whom he belonged and whose rough humour, courage and simplicity he so much admired.
Success did not spoil him, he knew that life is never easy and that virtue is not always its own reward: that there is a price to be paid for happiness, often too high a one to bear.
Andersen's own philosophy of life is the essence of his storytelling.
Edward Ardizzone has always wanted to illustrate a collection of his favourite Hans Andersen stories, and with this lovely book he has fulfilled that wish. His black and white drawings show how well he understands the moods of the characters, his colour work, soft and subtle, is superb; beautiful and haunting.