Writer Flora Annie Steel and artist Arthur Rackham famously combined their talents on the 1918 book “English Fairy Tales”. Now, part of the reason I love it is because it brings an irreplaceable diversity to various of our beloved, common, cultural fairy-tales. Yes, including the ones our mothers used to read to us at bedtime, hoping to lull us to sleep and all that…

“Just one more!” 🙂

Now on the one hand, such tales could be perfectly savage, via original Grimm Bros and all, and yet at other times? Sure, the typical Disney-style, watering-down of Peter Pan, right? In any case, I’ve always liked the cultural genius of Arthur Rackham’s art, so these are kinda like exhibit Z for me. (oh, and that’s “Jack & the Beanstalk,” above, case it wasn’t clear)

(right-click as needed)

HEY, and check this out!-- the one below is from a story I’ve never heard of before, i.e. “The giant Galligantua and the wicked old magician transform the duke’s daughter into a white hind!”

Does anyone know the backstory on that one…?

Part one of this post is HERE.

Image backup below. If in the UK (etc), use archive service to access:
https://imgur.com/gallery/vintage-illustrations-part-ii-fee-fi-fo-fum-i-smell-blood-of-gul-ish-man-1918-three-total-by-writer-flora-annie-steel-with-brilliant-arthur-rackham-on-art-plus-info-part-one-post-D3Z9i7y