Tales of Passed Times - Illustrated by John Austen

‘Tales of Passed Times’ is a collection of Charles Perrault’s fairy tales, accompanied by the beautiful illustrations of John Austen. A French nobleman and writer, Perrault (1628 – 1703) was among the first writers to bring magical children’s stories into the literary mainstream, proving to his original seventeenth century readers (and those in the present day!) that such works were important, enjoyable, as well as thought-provoking. The stories in this particular text include such favourites as ‘Blue Beard’, ‘Little Red Riding-Hood’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Puss in Boots’ and ‘Cinderella’ – as well as other, less well known tales such as ‘Riquet of the Tuft’, ‘Little Thumbling’ and ‘Princess Rosette.’

These stories of ‘Tales of Passed Times’ are accompanied by a set of dazzling colour illustrations from a true master of the ‘Golden Age of Illustration’ – John Austen (1886 – 1946). His early works, including a fine ‘Hamlet’, were Beardsleyesque in style, but after 1925, Austen was heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement. His illustrations continue to delight both young and old alike, right up to the present day. They are here presented alongside the text – further refining and elucidating Perrault’s legendary storytelling.

Pook Press celebrates the great ‘Golden Age of Illustration‘ in children’s classics and fairy tales – a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration. We publish rare and vintage Golden Age illustrated books, in high-quality colour editions, so that the masterful artwork and story-telling can continue to delight both young and old.