1823 ❧ The Brothers Grimm illustrated by Cruikshank. GRIMM, JAKOB. 1785-1863; WILHELM GRIMM. 1786-1859. German Popular Stories. Translated from the Kinder und Haus Marchen. London: C. Baldwyn (vol. 1), and James Robins & Co. (vol. 2), 1824-26. 2 volumes. 12mo (166 x 98 mm). Half-titles, 20 full-page engravings by Cruikshank, with an additional engraving on each title page. Crushed green morocco, covers, spine and doublures stamped in gilt with vine motif, spine gilt lettered with 5 raised bands, all edges gilt. Small marginal hole to leaf b 10 in vol. 1, light occasional staining, a couple of plates in vol. 2 lightly browned, pencil inscription of a Ruskin quotation to front free endpaper of vol. 1. Spines a bit darkened. FIRST ENGLISH EDITION, of the enduring Fairy Tale collections of the Brothers Grimm. Jakob and Wilhelm published their first edition of collected Fairy Tales in 1812, with the second volume following in 1815. The present collection was translated from their original German version and the accompanying illustrations by Cruikshank are generally considered some of his finest, The tales first appeared in English in 1823, with the publication of the first volume of German Popular Stories...It launched an era in which folklore and the fairy tale would stimulate writers to produce an increasingly imaginative literature for children. And German Popular Stories also put before the public the remarkable illustrations---perhaps his best work---of George Cruikshank' (Pierpoint Morgan Library, Early Children's Books and Their Illustration. published by David R. Godine in 1975). Ruskin also commented on the superb quality of Cruikshank's illustrations stating, 'the etchings are the finest things, next to Rembrandt's, that, as far as I know, have been done since etching was invented.' Alderson & Oyens 304; Cohn 369; Mahony Illustrations of Children's Books 197. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing