The Pentameron of Giambattista Basile

First thus.  402, [2]pp, with frontispiece and five further full page illustrations.  Ruby red cloth-covered boards, gilt-stamped lettering on the spine.  8vo.  Cloth a little brushed, gently rounded at corners and spine ends.  Upper text block edge lightly toned.  Internally neat, clean, bright and tight.  

The Pentamerone is a collection of 17th century fairy tales by Italian poet Giambattista Basile.  Basile collected the stories in the late 17th century – they were later adapted by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. Sir Richard Burton’s translation of the stories into English was first published in the 1890s but not reprinted until this edition by Spring Books in 1960, accompanied with the charming illustrations of Michael Aryton.  The stories include versions of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Puss in Boots and Sleeping Beauty as well as other less familiar tales.