A collection of the 17th century etchings of Aldert van Everdingen for the stories of Reynard the Fox. With an introduction and summary of the tales by "Felix Summerly" (pseudonym of Sir Henry Cole).

For two hundred years, the Etchings in this volume, illustrative of one of the oldest and most popular fictions of the Middle Ages, have made their author, Aldert van Everdingen, celebrated throughout Europe, though in late times, they have become almost curiosities for the portfolio. ... Everdingen's original copper-plates of Reynard the Fox, have recently come into my possession. Since his time, parts of the Plates have been altered by the insertion of ruled skies, & c. By transferring impressions from the copper-plates to lithographic stone, and correcting them by comparison with the fine early impressions in the Museum and elsewhere, the original appearance of the Etchings has been nearly restored. ... Everdingen executed fifty-seven illustrations to Reynard the Fox; a selection of forty of them is here republished. Their characteristic spirit, fidelity, and humour, will, I feel confident, make their revival popular with children of all ages. Some little license has been taken with the original arrangement of the subjects, to adapt them to the “Home Treasury.” Bearing in mind that they are republished in this shape for children, older readers, who are familiar with the History of Reynard, will not, I trust, be indignant at my doing poetical justice to the Fox , instead of allowing him to become the Lion's prime minister according to the old tradition . To propitiate any, if such there be, who object to this present adaptation, the whole set of Everdingen's Etchings will be republished as nearly as possible according to their original form, without any lettering. - [Editor]

Language: English