Andrew Lang's Authentic Expertise and Inspiration
Hardcover of the True Story Book by Andrew Lang
The True Story Book catches the eye with the gilded pages upon a deep royal blue hardcover. It is a fiction and folklore novel, a product of Andrew Lang's precise expertise.
Introducing an elaborate illustration on the cover and extending through to the illustrations within the first few pages, it’s impossible for questions not to arise within the mind. The cover illustration encompasses an ocean at night, the moon shining high above reflecting upon the water. A ship is approaching a man on the shore, holding a hat in one hand, a sword in the other. What is beyond the title, "The True Story Book?", What possessed Andrew Lang to write such daring novels? Can a “true story” be considered folklore?
Andrew Lang was a poet, novelist, literary critic, and patron to the field of anthropology. In 1844, he was born on the borderlands of Scotland in a quaint town known as Selkirk. Lang was the eldest of eight siblings which had a significant impact on him. He was a man of many talents but is best known for collecting folk and fairy tales. He earned much of his popularity for producing his own collection of fairy tales, known as The Colored Fairy Books. His fascination sprouted from his childhood, growing up amongst exquisite scenery stimulated his imagination. His career took off at the age of 31 when he decided to relocate to London where he met his beautiful wife, Leonore Blanche Alleyne. His wife translated most of his books and was a very prominent enhancement to his career. While living in London, Lang wrote for The Daily Post and Time magazine. He was a man with a very distinct sense of humor which is heavily portrayed throughout his books. He once stated, "an unsophisticated forecaster uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts, for support rather than for illumination." He continued to keep his legacy alive by being known as one of the most able and versatile writers of the day. As a member of the Fellow of the British Academy, a monument of honor lies within the cathedral precincts at St Andrews.
Gilded Edge
The first notable artistic dimension is unequivocally, the gilded pages. It brings a golden aura to Andrew Lang's books. He uses the gilded pages on most of his books but not all edges are gilded. Some books only have the top edge enclosed by gilt. The process of gilt is the application of gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces. It’s common to see edges of books, particularly antiquarian books, shining with gold. The gilt is magnificent and eye-catching but also serves as an efficient purpose. It helps protect the page edges from browning due to age, moisture and dust. Since Andrew Lang's books are folklore or childrens books, the gilded pages adds an extra artistic dimension, making them more enjoyable to read.
Not to mention marginalia, pencil notes, the marks of people who are not sure that they will remember that they have read this book, and wish to remind themselves. Those who carry a flirtation within the margins and it is unsure whether it is the author or another observer. The names of those who feel themselves in danger of slipping a detail from their memory, scribbles and grease marks, chemical letters written in book-smell. An archaeology of the hair and fibers and fingerprints from former owners, earmarked pages. Urgently rubbed out pencil, words readable only by moonlight, underlinings that went a little too far, having burst out in leaf at the edge of the page, fossilized dust lying amongst the pages.
Brother and Sister by H.J. Ford
The Colored Fairy Books, are known as one of Andrew Lang's most significant collections. He oversaw the combination of classic stories from all over the world. From tales of perplexity in Arabian Nights to ogres from Norse mythology, this is an incomparable collection of the world's greatest fairytales.
The first book in the series, and in the rainbow, the Red Fairy Book, possesses a brilliant illustration by H.J. Ford which immediately catches the viewers eye. Published in 1890, the Red Fairy Book is just one of twelve colored fairy books in Andrew Lang’s Collection. The Red Fairy Book includes classics such as, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel, additionally unheard-of stories titled, The True History of Little Goldenhood, which offers a twist on the traditional Red Riding Hood story. Lang did not capture the fairytale stories himself. Instead, he had extensive sources who collected them and transformed them into an influential collection. A little background regarding the illustration on the right, follows an outlandish tale... since their mother died, brother and sister have not been happy. Drinking from a brook, brother turns into a roe deer. A spell has taken him over. Where does the inspiration develop for these stories?