"The Pied Piper of Hamelin" by Robert Browning, illustrated by Kate Greenaway, engraved by Edmund Evans; published by Frederick Warne, London and New York, printed in the USA, undated facsimile of the first 1888 edition [c. early 1970s].

Illustrated hard boards [a little soiling and wear]; 8.3/4" x 10"; illustrated endpapers, 48 pages on nice cream-color paper, all pages have color illustrations, very good/ fine condition.

Robert Browning's famous verse retelling of the medieval legend of the Pied Piper is renowned for its humor and vivid wordplay. When the selfish townspeople of Hamelin refuse to pay the piper for spiriting away the hordes of rats that had plagued them, he exacts his revenge by luring away their greatest treasure, the children of the town.

Catherine Greenaway (1846-1901) was an English Victorian artist and writer, known for her children's book illustrations. She began her career designing for the burgeoning holiday card market, producing Christmas and Valentine's cards. In 1879 wood-block engraver and printer, Edmund Evans, printed Under the Window, an instant best-seller, which established her reputation. Her collaboration with Evans continued throughout the 1880s and 1890s.

The depictions of children in imaginary 18th-century costumes in a Queen Anne style were extremely popular in England and internationally, sparking the Kate Greenaway style. Within a few years of the publication of Under the Window Greenaway's work was imitated in England, Germany and the United States.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ------------- $9.50
Canada: 1st Class (c.2-6 weeks) ------ $22.50
World: 1st Class (c.2-8 weeks) ------- $31.50