Unknown — The Stick Book

London, Henry Frowde, c1912. Hardback. A very scarce and curious tale concerning a fairy and her magic sticks, illustrated by pre-Raphaelite illustrator Florence Hardy. The Stick Book, a very scarce and curious children's book, anonymously written, possibly by the illustrator, English artist Florence Hardy. Published by Henry Frowde in circa 1912. Only one institutional copy of this work is available in the UK, held at the University of Cambridge. In the publisher's original paper boards, with a tipped in colour plate to front board. Contains a frontispiece, and charming full-page illustrations. Part of the small Stick series which included The Acorn Elf, this charming little tale follows a fairy whose magic sticks cause fascination amongst children. Influenced by the pre-Raphaelites, Hardy's illustrations were featured in Punch and exhibited at the Royal Academy in the 1920s. In the publisher's original paper boards. Externally, smart, with minimal marks to boards. Slight rubbing to edges and a couple of small bumps to extremities. No paper on spine, believed to be as issued compared with other copies. Floral end papers are bright and clean. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are mostly bright and clean with minor age toning. Very Good . Ill.: Florence Hardy. Very Good .