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Andersens Fairy Tales 1926 Antique Hardcover Color Illustrated M A Donohue Rare
# Antique 1926 Hardcover: "Andersen's Fairy Tales" by Hans Christian Andersen
### Published by M. A. Donohue & Co. | Exquisite Color Plates & Stamped Pictorial Boards
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## 🔍 Comprehensive Condition Report (Please Review All Photos)
This beautiful, century-old children's storybook is in **Fair to Good Antique Condition**. It exhibits honest age and structural wear, which have been fully transparently documented below:
### 1. Structural Binding & Hinge Wear (Critical Notice)
* **Split Internal Hinge:** The front internal paper hinge is completely split open down the channel (vividly shown in the photos), fully exposing the underlying binding mesh and spine structure. The book block remains attached, but the binding is tender.
* **Exterior Spine & Edges:** The green textured cloth spine and all outer edges show heavy fraying, fabric softening, and loose threads. The corner boards are bumped, rubbed, and slightly exposed underneath.
### 2. Cover Art & Page Quality
* **Front Paste-Down Illustration:** The iconic, vibrant Art Nouveau style front cover illustration (featuring the fairy with butterfly wings and red roses) remains remarkably bright, sharp, and clean with only minor edge scuffing. The rear board features a charming smaller color graphic of a child looking at buildings.
* **Interior Content:** Features stunning full-page color plates (such as the Thumbelina plate *"Farewell, bright Sun"*) and gorgeous black-and-white inline story drawings (including *"The Ugly Duckling"*).
* **Important Notice Regarding Pages:** This is a 100-year-old book that was loved by past generations. While the text is clean and the color graphics are crisp, **the pages have been only casually flipped through. We cannot absolutely guarantee the complete absence of hidden light pencil marks, small edge nicks, finger smudges, or minor natural age-toning from its century of history.** No modern ink defacements or highlights.
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## 📖 Book Information & Collectibility
* **Author:** Hans Christian Andersen
* **Publisher:** M. A. Donohue & Company (Chicago / New York)
* **Copyright Date:** 1926 (Stated First Edition Era Printing)
* **Aesthetic Appeal:** Highly sought-after edition due to its stunning graphic presence, making it a perfect display piece for antique children's book collections, nursery staging, or rustic library decor.
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## 📦 Packaging & Shipping
* Sent out promptly via economy tracked **USPS Media Mail**.
* Due to the delicate nature of this 1920s split-hinge binding and fragile paper edges, the book will be sealed in an archival protective sleeve and securely sandwiched between thick, rigid cardboard reinforcing inserts to prevent any shifting during transit.
