First edition of the third series of Andersen’s tales. Two parts in one volume, published respectively on 30 March and 23 November 1872, each bearing an inscription by Andersen. He mentions the first in his diary (H. C. Andersens dagbøger, vol. IX, p. 247) and the second is recorded by Henry Tuxen (Anderseniana, vol. 4, 1958-59, p. 155).
Red cloth half binding, smooth spine faded with gilt title and ruled in black, black cloth boards. First board with a slight lenghtwise crack, spine-ends and corners rubbed, small lack of material at the margin of the first board.
Rare collection of tales exceptionally inscribed twice by Hans Christian Andersen to his friend the celebrated dancer and choreographer Auguste Bournonville, called here “Balletdigter” (poet of ballet) in homage to his talent. The inscriptions appear on the half-title page of each part: "Vennen, Balletdigteren A. Bournonville fra hans Beundrer H.C. Andersen" [To the friend, the poet of ballet A. Bournonville from his admirer H.C. Andersen] and "Balletdigteren min geniale, trofaste Ven Hr. Balletmester Bournonville Hjerteligst H.C. Andersen" [To the poet of ballet, my brilliant and faithful friend the ballet-master Mr. Bournonville / Sincerely H.C. Andersen].
The dancer and ballet director of the Royal Danish Theatre remained one of Andersen’s greatest role-models: Andersen, who had aspired to be a dancer in his youth, but like many of his fairy-tale protagonists was born in “the wrong body” - relinquishing that career path, the now-famous storyteller made use of his writing talents for the stage, and collaborated on several occasions with Bournonville.