Queen Mab’s Fairy Realm by May Bowley and Charles Smith
Arthur Rackham Ventures Inside Queen Mab’s Fairy Realm
While legends of fairies extend back to medieval times, the specific image of tiny winged sprites became widely popularized during the 19th century Victorian era. As fascination with fairy tales crested heading into the 20th century, this 1901 anthology Queen Mab’s Fairy Realm compiled an assortment of short stories and poems involving encounters with the famed fanciful folk.
Catch this pivotal cross-section of whimsy before pixie dust scatters it to the winds!
Buy Queen Mab’s Fairy Realm
1901 British fairy tale anthology Queen Mab’s Fairy Realm with rare Rackham drawings.
- Features Rackham’s smoky embryonic fantasy style on ascent to fame
- Victorian traditions converge with celebrated artists codifying Rackham’s coming primacy
- Captivating glimpses by soon-to-be master amidst apex of fairy literature
- Essential for fans of Rackham, fairy art, fantasy history, or children’s books
Editors May Bowley and Charles Smith Cheltnam curated submissions from five writers which each received accompanying illustrations by one of the period’s top fantasy artists – Arthur Rackham, H.R. Millar, Reginald Savage, A. Garth Jones, and Herbert Cole. The title references Queen Mab, a fairy queen appearing in old English folklore and cited in several of William Shakespeare’s plays.
Beyond the brief tales, Rackham’s five atmospheric drawings, including two full page plates, form the highlight. Demonstrating his trademark smoky style, they remain prime examples of captivating compressed fantasy art as Rackham honed his acclaimed interpretive approach toward the launch of his legend over the next decade. For collectors, this scarce volume represents a nexus of Victorian fairy tale revival just before Rackham emerged as its foremost visual voice.
Format: Dark blue cloth binding with color pictorial design, gilt edges (310 pages)
Size: 5 1⁄2 x 7 3⁄4 inches
Text: Queen Mab’s Fairy Realm [short story anthology]
Illustrators: H. Cole, A. Garth Jones, H.R. Millar, Arthur Rackham, R. Savage
Illustrations: 5 black and white drawings by Arthur Rackham, including 2 full page images
Publisher: George Newnes Ltd (London)
Publication Date: 1901
Summary: Released in 1901, this short story collection titled Queen Mab’s Fairy Realm aimed at juvenile readers features a quintet of prominent illustrators including Arthur Rackham. He contributes 5 atmospheric black and white drawings spread across various brief fairy tales and poems by authors like Frances Browne. The anthology itself saw only one printing, but Rackham’s darkly whimsical compositions remain captivating encapsulations of his talent on the ascent.
By providing visions alongside the book’s namesake Shakespearean fairy queen, Rackham cites his familiarity with canon essential to subsequent major Interpretations of Midsummer Night’s Dream and other dramatic works. Though not his most recognizable pieces, these vignettes stand as intriguing artifacts of cross-pollination amid children’s fantasy circles flowering leading into a new century. For comprehensiveness, collectors should secure this uncommon early example highlighting Rackham’s immersive style before fame precluded small contributions.
