This captivating image comes from the first edition of Scottish poet and anthropologist Andrew Lang’s The Olive Fairy Book. Compiled in 1907 by Lang, under the editorial guidance of his wife, Leonora (Nora) Alleyne, and illustrated by Henry Justice Ford, the book was one in a twelve-part series known as Lang’s Fairy Books, with each book named for the colour of its fairy.
This design was previously released in 2020 as a hardcover journal, and we are delighted to bring it back as a softcover Flexi notebook, dot-grid planner and washi tape!
Andrew Lang (1844–1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic and anthropologist, though he is best remembered as a collector of folk and fairy tales. Lang was greatly passionate about folklore, mythology and religion, and especially fascinated by mystical tales from other cultures.
It was this passion that led him to compile a collection of books known as Lang’s Fairy Books, which featured illustrations by Henry Justice Ford (1860–1941). Ford, a prolific and successful English artist and illustrator, captured the imagination of children around the world through his collaborations with not only Lang, but J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan), too.
Lang and Ford’s Fairy Books became a sensation among British schoolchildren and were sold internationally.
Our Olive Fairy Flexi notebook reproduces the front cover of Lang’s The Olive Fairy Book. Published in 1907, it included stories such as “The Golden-Headed Fish” and “The Prince and the Princess in the Forest.” The stories were gathered from places like Turkey, India, Denmark, Armenia and the Sudan. Here, Ford’s Olive Fairy illustration offers a botanical and almost insectile quality that gives her a sense of scientific realism as well as fey possibility.
May the Olive Fairy bring a hint of vintage whimsy to your writings.
I’ve been buying paperbkanks diaries every year, for the last 15 years, I love them! Yet, the time came I started relying more and more on my digital divices. This year, I still bought the lovely William Morris Windrush midi, however it would be great to have it as an app on my ipad. Have you ever thought about digitalizing your products? I would love to click on the beautiful icon of my diary, flip the pages, make the notes, to have it, and to use it like a paper one ?
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you so much for this idea! We always appreciate learning how people use our products, especially in our increasingly digital world, so this is certainly something we’ll keep in mind. For now, enjoy your Morris Windrush planner!
All the best,
Robyn @ Paperblanks