THE ICE-MAIDEN de Andersen, Hans Christian - 1863

London: Richard Bentley, 1863. Very good plus.. First edition in English of this collection of some of Andersen's most recently published popular tales, with gorgeous historiated initials and vignettes after drawings by Johann Baptist Zwecker. All four tales in this collection - "The Ice-Maiden," "The Butterfly," "Psyche," and "The Snail and the Rosebush" - were first published in Danish in 1861-1862 and appear here in English for the first time. (An American edition also appeared the same year with a different translation.) The beautifully executed wood engravings truly elevate the publication, which is rarely found in nice condition. An unusually well-preserved copy. Small quarto. 8'' x 6''. Original full gilt-stamped blue pebbled cloth, with elaborate gilt cornerpieces and center vignette on front board, gilt-lettered spine. Beveled edges. All edges gilt. 2 pages of ads at rear. Illustrated with drawings by Zwecker, engraved by Pearson. Translated by Anne Bushby. [8], 173, [1], [2] pages. Early 20th-century ownership info embossed on front free endpaper and title page. Westleys binder's ticket on rear pastedown. Light edgewear and bumping to extremities, spine slightly cocked. Front hinge cracked but firm.