Fairy tales collected by the brothers Grimm [ed. by A. Gardiner] with illustr. by Bertall and others

This edition of the Grimm brothers' fairy tales, edited by Alfonz Gardiner, was published in the mid-19th century as part of the broader Victorian-era fascination with European folklore. During this period, the Grimms' tales were being increasingly adapted and packaged for English-speaking audiences, moving from academic linguistic curiosities to staple children's literature. Gardiner's curation aimed to synthesize these stories into an accessible format while maintaining the cultural weight of the original German texts.

The volume is notable for its inclusion of illustrations by Charles Albert d'Arnoux, known professionally as Bertall, alongside other contemporary artists. Bertall was a prominent French caricaturist and illustrator whose work often bridged the gap between traditional wood-engraving techniques and the expressive, theatrical style popular in mid-century book design. His contributions, characterized by intricate detail and a penchant for dramatic composition, helped define the visual standard for 19th-century fantasy literature.