The Banbury Cross Series was a collection of 12 volumes of books edited
by Grace Rhys and published in London by Dent in the 1890s. Each book is
attractively illustrated with full page and partial page pen and ink
drawings in a classic Art Nouveau style by leading artists of the era.
This title, Jack the Giant-Killer and Beauty & the Beast is accompanied
by the sophisticated black and white open line work of Bell. His
drawings perfectly convey the wickedness of the giant and the gentleness
and compassion of Beauty. About the Illustrator: Robert Anning Bell
(1863 - 1933) was an English artist and painter. He and a group of
fellow artist-craftsmen brought about the last bloom of the
Pre-Raphaelite movement. As well as painting in oil and watercolour, he
also worked in stained glass and mosaic. Bell's illustrations are close
in style to his contemporary Charles Ricketts. Many of the earliest
children's books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and
before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Pook Press
are working to republish these classic works in affordable, high quality
editions, using the original text and artwork so these works can delight
another generation of children.