A Flower Fairy Alphabet Poems & Pictures by Cicely M. Barker c.1950s w/ Jacket
 
A Flower Fairy Alphabet
Poems and Pictures by Cicely M. Barker
Published by Blackie & Son Limited, London & Glasgow, c.1950s
With Original Dust Jacket – Fully Illustrated in Colour
 
Bibliographic Details
 
Title: A Flower Fairy Alphabet: Poems and Pictures
Author & Illustrator: Cicely M. Barker (1895 – 1973)
Publisher: Blackie & Son Limited, London & Glasgow
Place of Printing: Great Britain by Blackie & Son Ltd., Glasgow
Date: Undated, circa 1950s (based on publisher address “16/18 William IV Street, Charing Cross, London W.C.” printed on dust jacket)
Copyright Notice: “Copyright – Blackie & Son Limited” on half-title page
Format: Hardcover in illustrated paper boards with an illustrated unclipped dust jacket
Illustrations:
One black and white frontispiece
One illustrated half-title page
24 full-colour plates (all present and accounted for), each representing a letter of the alphabet — with U and V and X and Y combined, to create 26 letters across 24 plates.
Decorative black and white text embellishments throughout.
Pagination: Unpaginated
Dimensions: Approx. 14.2 × 11 × 1 cm
Weight: Approx. 105 g
 
Historical and Publishing Context
 
Cicely Mary Barker (1895 – 1973) was one of Britain’s most beloved illustrators of the early 20th century, renowned for her exquisite Flower Fairies series, in which she combined a botanist’s precision with a child’s imagination.
The series became instantly popular, celebrated for Barker’s delicate watercolours and lyrical verses inspired by nature and the innocence of childhood.
This particular edition can be dated to circa 1950s, identified by the publisher’s address at 16/18 William IV Street, London W.C., used during that decade. These mid-century printings were produced to high standards by Blackie’s Glasgow works, with vivid colour plates faithfully reproducing Barker’s original paintings.
Original dust-jacketed examples from this period are now scarce and increasingly sought after by collectors, particularly when complete with all 24 plates and in such attractive condition.
 
Features
 
Original unclipped dust jacket with colour illustration and decorative border.
Paper-covered boards with a colour illustration on the front, with titles on spine and cover.
Illustrated endpapers and pastedowns featuring Flower Fairies.
24 vibrant colour plates printed on glossy stock, all present.
Delicate printed titles beneath each image.
Compact gift-book format, beautifully produced by Blackie & Son.
 
Condition Report
 
Exterior Condition:
The original unclipped dust jacket remains intact and robust, with only minor wear consistent with age. Light edge rubbing, a small closed tear at the bottom of the front panel, and faint creasing along the edges. There are a few tiny marks and remnants of an old sticker on the inner front flap. The colours of the jacket illustration remain vivid. The boards beneath are paper-covered, with a colour illustration design, and are in very good order with only minimal rubbing at extremities and tiny corner wear. Spine and cover titles are clear and bright.
Interior Condition:
Illustrated fairy endpapers and pastedowns are clean and fresh, with only very light rubbing to the rear endpaper edge. The pages are gently and evenly tanned with age but remain clean and crisp overall. The text and illustrations are clear and bright. No pen or pencil marks are present, and all 24 colour plates are complete and securely bound. There is no foxing beyond the very faint occasional spot. Binding tight and square.
Overall, an exceptionally well-preserved example of this delightful mid-century Flower Fairy Alphabet edition.
 
Dimensions and Weight
 
Approximate size: 14.2 × 11 × 1 cm
Approximate weight: 105 g
 
Collectability and Appeal
 
Mid-century Flower Fairy editions have become treasured keepsakes, their charm and artistry appealing equally to collectors, fairy enthusiasts, and lovers of botanical art. The completeness of the colour plates and presence of the original dust jacket make this a particularly desirable copy.
A Flower Fairy Alphabet represents one of Barker’s most enchanting works; an alphabet of flora and fairies that continues to captivate readers of all ages.