The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Chicago: Rand, McNally, and Co., 1910. First Edition, Thus.
Blue cloth with color paste-on illustrated in recess with stamped titles in gilt; two-color decorated endpages; all pages boarded in a repeating pattern; alternating between b/w and full color by Hope Dunlap.
The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean; light, even age-toning. Moderate shelf handling wear with rubbed corners and some marking on the front.
Hope Dunlap's illustrations in the 1910 edition of The Pied Piper of Hamelin bring fresh life to this timeless story, blending nostalgia with artistic finesse. Her vibrant watercolor depictions capture the medieval setting of Hamelin, with scenes that shift from the lively streets to the eerie atmosphere of the rat-infested town.
The illustrations breathe a sense of both wonder and foreboding, with meticulous detail that enhances the emotional depth of the poem. The characters are rendered with whimsical charm, from the mischievous Piper to the curious children drawn to his hypnotic music. Dunlap’s artistry immerses readers in the unfolding drama.
Robert Browning’s narrative poem tells the mysterious tale of Hamelin, a town beset by a rat infestation. The townspeople seek help from the Pied Piper, a colorful stranger with a magical pipe, who promises to rid them of the rats. True to his word, he lures the rats into the Weser River, where they drown. However, when the townspeople break their promise to pay him, the Piper exacts his revenge by leading away the town's children.
The poem serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of broken promises, betrayal, and dishonesty, with themes of justice and retribution. Believed to be inspired by a real historical event, it explores how legend shapes our understanding of unexplained events.
Item #20072
Price: $45.00
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