Volume I of the first English translation of 'The Nights of Straparola',
originally published in 1894. A collection of stories in two volumes
written by the Italian Renaissance author, Giovanni Francesco Straparola
during the fifteenth century. The two volumes are divided into nights,
where Lords, Ladies, damsels and gentlemen are gathered at a party in
Venice and tell each other fairy tales, witty fables, and follies to
entertain themselves. 74 tales are told over 13 nights, including folk
and fairy-tales, novellas with themes of trickery and intrigue; and
tragic and heroic stories. The collection includes some of the first
known printed versions of European fairy tales, as they are known today,
such as "Puss in Boots", "The Four Clever Brothers", "Donkeyskin" and
others. Many of these tales have been collected or retold in later fairy
tale collections, such as those by Giambattista Basile and the Brothers
Grimm. This wonderful book is translated by W. G. Waters and is
illustrated by E. R. Hughes. Pook Press celebrates the great 'Golden Age
of Illustration' in children's literature - a period of unparalleled
excellence in book illustration. We publish rare and vintage classic
illustrated books, in high-quality colour editions, so that the
masterful artwork and story-telling can continue to delight both young
and old.
