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Paperblanks Olive Fairy Ultra Softback Flexi Journal – Lined, 176 Pages

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Capture your ideas, plans and memories in this Olive Fairy ultra softback flexi journal from Paperblanks, with 176 lined pages of 100 gsm acid-free paper.

This captivating image comes from the first edition of Scottish poet and anthropologist Andrew Lang’s The Olive Fairy Book. Compiled in 1907 by Lang, under the editorial guidance of his wife, Leonora (Nora) Alleyne, and illustrated by Henry Justice Ford, the book was one in a twelve-part series known as Lang’s Fairy Books, with each book named for the colour of its fairy.

The Story Behind the Design

Andrew Lang (1844–1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic and anthropologist, though he is best remembered as a collector of folk and fairy tales. Lang was greatly passionate about folklore, mythology and religion, and especially fascinated by mystical tales from other cultures.

It was this passion that led him to compile a collection of books known as Lang’s Fairy Books, which featured illustrations by Henry Justice Ford (1860–1941). Ford, a prolific and successful English artist and illustrator, captured the imagination of children around the world through his collaborations with not only Lang, but J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan), too.

Lang and Ford’s Fairy Books became a sensation among British schoolchildren and were sold internationally. Lang selected and edited 25 collections in total, beginning with the Blue Fairy Book in 1889 and ending with The Strange Story Book in 1913. Of those 25 books, 12 became a special series known as Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books of Many Colours, with each book named for the colour of the featured fairy.

Our Olive Fairy journal reproduces the front cover of Lang’s Olive Fairy Book. Published in 1907, it included stories such as “The Golden-Headed Fish” and “The Prince and the Princess in the Forest.” The stories were gathered from places like Turkey, India, Denmark, Armenia and the Sudan. Here, Ford’s Olive Fairy illustration offers a botanical and almost insectile quality that gives her a sense of scientific realism as well as fey possibility.

May the Olive Fairy bring a hint of vintage whimsy to your writings.

  • Original artwork: First edition cover of Andrew Lang’s The Olive Fairy Book
  • Era: 1907
  • Region: England

Product Details

  • Size: Ultra – 175 × 225 × 12 mm
  • Interior: Lined
  • Pages: 176 (88 sheets)
  • Paper: 100 gsm acid-free smooth paper
  • Cover: Softback flexi (flexible cover)
  • Closure: Elastic band
  • Binding: Smyth sewn – lies flat and stays durable
  • Corners: Rounded
  • Pouch: Back cover pouch
  • Design: Olive Fairy
  • Series: Lang’s Fairy Books
  • Satin ribbon marker
  • Decorative printed cover paper
  • Endpaper with credit and copyright information as well as historical background for the original artwork
  • Threaded stitching and glue, as needed
  • Acid-free paper
  • Memento pouch
  • Weight: 388 g
  • Product code: FB9639-9 | ISBN: 9781439796399

About Paperblanks

Paperblanks works with museums, libraries, galleries and artists around the world to faithfully reproduce remarkable artwork, historic bindings and treasured manuscripts, and every notebook is crafted with the same attention to detail, from the paper inside to the finish of the cover.




Regular price £23.99
Sale price £23.99 Regular price
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