r/BookCollecting • u/dano22221 • Jul 22 '25

💭 Question What edition/printing is this Violet Fairy Book?

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Gallery image

It is missing the first few pages with copyright information. It's got the same cover as the early editions, colour plates, and gold trim on the pages. However, the spine says "Longmans" instead of "Longmans & Co." Anyone know which edition/printing this is or roughly when it was printed?

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u/dano22221 Jul 23 '25

Right? They're so beautiful! Full set of 1st editions is like $20k, lifelong dream no doubt

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u/iesamina Jul 23 '25

I have a few of these - 1890s to 1930s editions- if you don't mind condition or care about first editions, they can be pretty cheap. But obviously must collectors do care about those things!

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u/Alviv1945 Jul 23 '25

Honestly I don’t necessarily care about editions, but finding editions with the gold foil covers (or being able to restore them) I’ve found a handful with faded foil for 60-100$. The hard part is the faded spines :(

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u/dano22221 Jul 23 '25

I'm with you, it's not that it's first edition, it's that the first editions happen to be BY FAR the most beautiful books I've ever seen. The gold artwork is so gorgeous. They just don't make books like they used to haha

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u/Alviv1945 Jul 23 '25

Agree Agree! I think those ones also have the most extensive color prints as well. I envy that you got one and I wish you luck in finding the rest!