Arthur Rackham

“Toads and Diamonds.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 196-199.

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 15:35:13 +0000

“Toads and Diamonds.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 196-199. Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 01/22/2023 - 08:35

Tale Summary

A woman lived with her two daughters, the eldest of whom was like her in every way, making them both ugly and disagreeable, while the younger was most like her father and was very pleasant and beautiful. The woman favored her eldest daughter and forced the younger to do menial chores, including fetching a pitcher of water each day from a spring a mile and a half away. One day as she was doing this task, there appeared a poor old woman who begged for some water. The girl was very polite and gave her some. The woman revealed herself as a fairy who was there to test to see how far the girl’s manners and civility would go, and gave her the gift that whenever she spoke a word, either a flower or a precious jewel would fall from her mouth. Her mother scolded her for being late when she arrived home, and upon apologizing, diamonds fell out of her mouth. When she explained what had happened, her mother called for her eldest daughter and demanded she do the same; give a pitcher of water to the poor woman. Begrudgingly, the girl went to the fountain, where she met a splendidly dressed lady. This was the same fairy, but disguised as a princess, to see how far the girl’s rudeness would go. After being very unpleasant, the girl was given the ‘gift’ that whenever she spoke, out of her mouth would come either a snake or a toad. When she arrived home and the mother of the two saw what had happened, she blamed the younger daughter and chased her out of the house into the woods. At the same moment the King’s son was passing by and noticed her. He thought she was very beautiful, and once she told her story and he saw the jewels and flowers falling from her mouth, he took her to his father’s palace and married her.

Fairy Tale Title

Toads and Diamonds

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Arthur Rackham

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Common Tale Type

The Kind and the Unkind Girls

Tale Classification

ATU 480

Page Range of Tale

pp. 196-199

Full Citation of Tale

“Toads and Diamonds.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 196-199.

Original Source of the Tale

Charles Perrault

Tale Notes

AV��ʪ and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations

Book Author/Editor(s)

Arthur Rackham

Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Publisher

J.B. Lippincott Co.

Date Published

1933

Decade Published

1930-1939

Publisher City

Philadelphia

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Traditional

White

“The Three Bears.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 200-205.

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 16:57:22 +0000

“The Three Bears.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 200-205. Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/21/2023 - 09:57

Arthur Rackham

Tale Summary

There was once a family of bears; a great big bear, a medium-sized bear, and a wee little bear. One morning they left together to take a talk while their porridge cooled down enough to eat, and while they were away from their house an unpleasant old woman let herself in. She saw the bowls of porridge, one big, one medium, and one small, and tried each. The porridge meant for the big bear was too hot, the porridge for the medium bear was too cold, but the porridge for the small bear was just the right temperature and she ate it all up. She tried out all of the chairs too, each proportionally sized for the members of the bear family. The large chair was too hard, the medium chair too soft, and the small chair perfectly comfortable; she sat on it until the cushion fell out the bottom. She then decided to try out the beds. The big bed was too high at the head, the medium bed too high at the foot, but the small bed was just right; she covered herself up and fell asleep in it. The bear family returned home and saw that someone had been there. The great big bear said in his big voice:

“SOMEBODY HAS BEEN EATING MY PORRIDGE!”

The medium-sized bear said: SOMEBODY HAS BEEN AT MY PORRIDGE!”

And in his little voice, the small bear said: “Somebody has been at my porridge, and has eaten it all up!”

The bears then see the chairs, and in the same order say:

“SOMEBODY HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR!”

“SOMEBODY HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR!”

“Somebody has been sitting in my chair, and has sat the bottom out of it!”

Then, the bears check their beds, and seeing evidence, shout again in order:

“SOMEBODY HAS BEEN LYING IN MY BED!”

“SOMEBODY HAS BEEN LYING IN MY BED!”

“Somebody has been lying in my bed-and here she is!”

The old woman woke up at once to the shrill little bear’s voice and tumbled out the window, and they never saw her again.

Fairy Tale Title

The Three Bears

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Arthur Rackham

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Common Tale Type

Tale Classification

Page Range of Tale

pp. 200-205

Full Citation of Tale

“The Three Bears.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 200-205.

Original Source of the Tale

Southey

Tale Notes

The story repeatedly emphasizes the good qualities of the bears, while pointing out how rude and unpleasant the old woman is. Additionally, the ending is ambiguous, and it is not known if the old woman breaks her neck in the fall from the window, is lost forever in the woods, or is taken up by the Constable and sent to the House of Corrections as a vagrant.

AV��ʪ and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations

Book Author/Editor(s)

Arthur Rackham

Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Publisher

J.B. Lippincott Co.

Date Published

1933

Decade Published

1930-1939

Publisher City

Philadelphia

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Traditional

White

“The Princess and the Pea.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 140-142.

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 16:34:48 +0000

“The Princess and the Pea.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 140-142. Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 01/21/2023 - 09:34

Arthur Rackham

Tale Summary

Once upon a time there was a young prince who wished he had a princess, but not just any princess; she would have to be a real princess. He traveled everywhere, but could not find one, and returned home dejected. There was a terrible storm one night, and someone knocked at the city gate, and the King himself answered. It was a girl who claimed to be a real princess. The Queen thought to test this, and placed a pea on a bed frame, and put twenty mattresses on top, and then on top of that twenty eiderdown beds. The next morning, the princess complained that she slept terribly and that her body felt bruised all over from some hard thing in her bed. It was decided she must be a real princess because she was so delicate, and she is married to the prince.

Fairy Tale Title

The Princess and the Pea

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Arthur Rackham

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Common Tale Type

The Princess and the Pea

Tale Classification

ATU 704

Page Range of Tale

pp. 140-142

Full Citation of Tale

“The Princess and the Pea.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 140-142.

Original Source of the Tale

Hans Christian Anderson

Tale Notes

At the end of the story, the narrator tells us that the pea has been placed at the Art Museum (which art museum this refers to is unclear) where it can still be viewed today, so long as no one has stolen it.

AV��ʪ and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations

Book Author/Editor(s)

Arthur Rackham

Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Publisher

J.B. Lippincott Co.

Date Published

1933

Decade Published

1930-1939

Publisher City

Philadelphia

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Traditional

White

“Blue Beard.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 143-152.

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:55:52 +0000

“Blue Beard.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 143-152. Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 01/19/2023 - 17:55

Arthur Rackham

Tale Summary

There once was a rich man who lived outside Baghdad, who had many riches but also had a blue beard which frightened all the women away. His neighbor had two fine sons and daughters, and he desired one of the girls, named Anne and Fatima, he did not care which. Both refused him, on account of his beard, and that he had been married multiple times before and no one knew what became of his wives. He took them, their mother, and the other girls from the neighborhood, to the countryside with him. They had such a wonderful time partying that the younger daughter, Fatima, agreed to wed him. After a month, he was obliged to leave for several weeks, and gave his wife a number of keys which unlocked his fineries, and one which unlocked a closet. He told her never to open the closet or she would face his wrath, and she agreed. She invited over her friends and the neighbor ladies, and they all ran through the rooms unlocking the riches in wonder. After a while, she became too curious, and Fatima left the others and unlocked the closet door. She saw the door covered in blood, as well as the bodies of several dead women which hung on the wall. Fatima realized these must have been her husband’s missing brides. After closing the door and running to her room, Fatima noticed blood on the key which she could not wash off, because it was a magic key. Her husband returned that evening, and the next morning he asked for his keys. When she handed them back, he saw the blood and knew what she had done. He promised to kill her, but she implored him to allow her to say her prayers, and so he gave her half a quarter of an hour. Fatima found her sister Anne, and told her that she had the previous day sent for her brothers and she must go to the watchtower and give them a signal to make haste when she saw them. Again and again Blue Beard shouted up to Fatima to hurry down so that he could kill her, but again and again she stalled him until she could see her brothers coming. It was then when her husband made such a terrible noise that she came down to him. Before he could kill her, Fatima’s brothers burst through the door and killed Blue Beard, leaving Fatima the mistress of his estates. She used her money to marry her sister to a man who loved her, bought captain’s commissions for her brothers, and married herself to a worthy gentleman.

Fairy Tale Title

Blue Beard

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Arthur Rackham

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Common Tale Type

Maiden-killer

Tale Classification

ATU 312

Page Range of Tale

pp. 143-152

Full Citation of Tale

“Blue Beard.” The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations, Arthur Rackham, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott., 1933, pp. 143-152.

Original Source of the Tale

Charles Perrault

Tale Notes

AV��ʪ and Curation

Kaeli Waggener, 2023

Book Title

The Arthur Rackham fairy book : a book of old favourites with new illustrations

Book Author/Editor(s)

Arthur Rackham

Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Publisher

J.B. Lippincott Co.

Date Published

1933

Decade Published

1930-1939

Publisher City

Philadelphia

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

Traditional

White

"The Birth of Bran." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 93-108.

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 19:05:11 +0000

"The Birth of Bran." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 93-108. Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/13/2022 - 13:05

James Stephens

Tale Summary

This story begins with a description of Fergus Fionnliath, a man known for hating dogs more than anyone else in Ireland. However, Fionn, whom Fergus is loyal to, has always been a lover of dogs. His two most favorite dogs are Bran and Sceolan, and the rest of the story explains why he is so connected to them.

Fionn’s Aunt Tuiren visits him and decides to wed an Ulster man named Iollan. Fionn does not know Ulster very well, so he wearily consents to this marriage. Iollan and Tuiren are happy in their new marriage, but soon Iollan’s past comes back to haunt him. His old lover, Uct Dealv, a lady of the Shi, has been waiting for him to return to her whilst he has already moved on.

When Uct Dealv hears of his new marriage, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She visits Tuiren in Ireland and transforms her into a hound upon meeting her. Uct Dealv then decides to take her to Fergus Fionnliath, who she believes will cause Tuiren suffering or even death.

Fergus hates dogs very much, so at first he refuses to take in the hound. However, he is persuaded to watch it in debt to Fionn, who he is loyal to. At first, Fergus avoids the dog who is shivering in fear, but eventually realizes he should help so Fionn will not be upset with him. He orders his servant to take care of her, but Tuirenn, the dog, refuses their help. Fergus realizes that she is only comforted by him, and as he grows closer to her, his hatred of dogs disappears.

Iollan and Fionn are desperately searching for Tuiren. Iollan knows that Uct Dealv must have had something to do with her disappearance, so he offers his life to her in exchange for returning Tuiren to her human state. Uct Dealv does this, and Tuiren marries Lugaidh now that her husband must remain with Uct Dealv. Tuiren left behind two puppies she had birthed as a hound named Bran and Sceolan. This is how they came to be Fionn’s most beloved dogs, for they were also his cousins.

Fairy Tale Title

The Birth of Bran

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

James Stephens

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Common Tale Type

Tale Classification

Page Range of Tale

pp. 93-108

Full Citation of Tale

"The Birth of Bran." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 93-108.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

There are only a few illustrations in this story. One depicts Fergus in a grotesque way as he chases after a dog with a stone, and the other portrays Iollan and Uct Dealv while they are in love. “The Birth of Bran” tells the importance of not judging something before you truly know about it, as Fergus claims to hate dogs without ever having interacted with them. Uct Dealv also blames Iollan and Tuiren for wanting to hurt her, without stopping to notice that they truly loved each other.

AV��ʪ and Curation

Stephanie Virts, 2022

Book Title

Irish Fairy Tales

Book Author/Editor(s)

James Stephens

Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Publisher

Macmillan

Date Published

1920

Decade Published

1920-1929

Publisher City

London

Publisher Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

None

Traditional

White

"The Boyhood of Fionn." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 37-90.

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 18:49:37 +0000

"The Boyhood of Fionn." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 37-90. Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/13/2022 - 12:49

James Stephens

Tale Summary

Fionn is the son of Muirne and Uail, the captain of the Fianna of Ireland, While he is young, the sons of Morna kill his father, so his mother hides him with some trusted druids in a forest who take care of him. He meets his mother only a few times over his childhood, but learns all about the animals and forest around him until it is like his home. He stays with the druids, learning tales of his father and the sons of Morna on top of how to fish and swim until their location is no longer safe from the clan Morna.

Fionn runs away from the druids with a group of poets until these friends are murdered. He discovers that Fiacuil, the murderer, is his uncle and goes to live in his den. He learns things about the marshes and how to fight from Fiacuil, but ultimately leaves to make a name for himself in Ireland. He travels around proving his wit, and his skills as a hunter across the country. Fionn’s one greatest desire is to obtain true knowledge. To do this he visits Finegas the poet. Finegas catches the Salmon of Knowledge then gives it to Fionn to eat.

After obtaining this gift of knowledge, Fionn goes on his final journey to Tara of the Kings. Here, he is welcomed as a friend. During a feast, Fionn volunteers to protect the King from Aillen, whom no one has ever been able to escape from. As he awaits this villain in the forest, Fiacuil visits him to give him the knowledge and a spear which Fionn ultimately needs to kill Aillen. By killing Aillen, he finally has made a name for himself in Ireland and gained lasting respect. The story ends with Fionn becoming a powerful champion of Ireland.

Fairy Tale Title

The Boyhood of Fionn

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

James Stephens

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Common Tale Type

Tale Classification

Page Range of Tale

pp. 37-90

Full Citation of Tale

"The Boyhood of Fionn." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 37-90.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

There are only a few illustrations in this tale, which depict Fionn as a young boy and as he discovers Ireland. The illustrations are realistically portrayed, but the subjects of them such as the animals coming up to interact with Fionn are not entirely realistic. The Boyhood of Fionn describes the importance of knowledge to one’s life, as well as the importance of making friends. The lesson of the story is that one should always strive to learn as much as possible about everything in their life.

AV��ʪ and Curation

Stephanie Virts, 2022

Book Title

Irish Fairy Tales

Book Author/Editor(s)

James Stephens

Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Publisher

Macmillan

Date Published

1920

Decade Published

1920-1929

Publisher City

London

Publisher Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

None

Traditional

White

"The Story of Tuan MacCairill." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 3-31.

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 17:44:11 +0000

"The Story of Tuan MacCairill." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 3-31. Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/13/2022 - 11:44

James Stephens

Tale Summary

Finnian, the Abbot of Moville, discovers one day that someone in his province still believes in gods, rather than the Christian God. He sets off to change this person’s mind because he finds this appalling. Tuan, the man who believes in gods, does not wish to speak to Finnian and refuses him entrance. Finnian remains determined so he fasts outside of Tuan’s home in order that Tuan will have to offer him hospitality and food. This works, and once Finnian enters his home, Tuan begins telling his story to explain why he believes in gods.

Tuan describes how he was alive when people first moved to inhabit Ireland, which shocks Finnian, as he has grown up hearing stories of these ancient times. Tuan came to Ireland many years before with a famous man named Partholon who had numerous offspring there. A plague came upon his offspring and everyone except for Tuan passed away. After this, Tuan was destined by the gods to inhabit the body of many creatures such as a stag, hawk, boar, and a salmon.

Finally, after living as various animals, Tuan is caught and eaten by the queen when he is in the body of a salmon. He is then born as her child, thus explaining how he came to be the person Finnian was conversing with. The story ends with Tuan being reborn once again in the name of the Lord. After this, it is unclear whether he finally passes away or remains in Ireland where he has always lived.

Fairy Tale Title

The Story of Tuan MacCairill

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

James Stephens

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Common Tale Type

Tale Classification

Page Range of Tale

pp. 3-31

Full Citation of Tale

"The Story of Tuan MacCairill." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 3-31.

Original Source of the Tale

Tale Notes

There are five illustrations in this tale which vary in their style and depictions. Some are very intricate and realistic while others depict people as almost grotesque caricatures. It is written towards an audience of any age and gives a historical account through the lens of a fairy tale of part of the history of Ireland. The Story of Tuan MacCairill depicts the historical differences over time of Irish religion. Overall, the lesson is that one’s ultimate path in life is to find God and be born again just as Tuan is.

AV��ʪ and Curation

Stephanie Virts, 2022

Book Title

Irish Fairy Tales

Book Author/Editor(s)

James Stephens

Illustrator(s)

Arthur Rackham

Publisher

Macmillan

Date Published

1920

Decade Published

1920-1929

Publisher City

London

Publisher Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Digital Copy

Available at the Internet Archive

Book Notes

None

Traditional

White