R. Anning Bell illustrated this famous fairy tale for The Banbury Cross Series in 1894.
Like several other fairy tales in this series, it shares a place in the book with another story: Dick Whittington and his Cat.
Each book in the series cost 50 cents, but the whole series with 12 volumes in a box was even a bit pricier: 6 dollars and 50 cents!
This version of Sleeping Beauty has characteristics of both of the most popular versions: by the Grimm brothers and by Charles Perrault.
The so-called frontispiece is the introductory scene of the story at the same time. A baby princess is being christened. Seven fairies of the kingdom came to give her their magical gifts.
All stories in the series were adapted by Grace Rhys who dedicated this book to Bunny. I have no idea who that might be.
While the seven fairies already started with their lunch, another fairy appeared. Nobody invited her because she wasn't seen for more than 50 years. The king, of course. found a place at the table for her but there were only seven golden forks and knives. She wasn't very happy with the ordinary set of cutlery.
The old fairy grumbled and one of the other fairies heard her silent threats. Afraid of her revenge on the child, she hid to see what the old fairy would do and at least try to repair the damage.
Indeed, the old fairy waited until all the others gave their presents of virtues and then cursed the little princess. When she will become fifteen or sixteen, she will prick her finger with a spindle and die.
The hidden fairy didn't have the power to deny such a strong curse, so she did the best she could. Yes, the princess will prick her finger but she will not die. Instead, she will fall into a long, one hundred years-long sleep. After that, a king's son will come and wake her up.
The hidden fairy didn't have the power to deny such a strong curse, so she did the best she could. Yes, the princess will prick her finger but she will not die. Instead, she will fall into a long, one hundred years-long sleep. After that, a king's son will come and wake her up.
The king wasn't happy with the solution. One hundred years seemed too much. Wouldn't it be better to prevent the pricking? He banned all the distaffs and spindles in his kingdom. He is the king after all!
But even the kings can't look after their children all the time and about fifteen or sixteen years later his daughter wandered around the castle alone and bored when she spotted a little room she had never seen before.
But even the kings can't look after their children all the time and about fifteen or sixteen years later his daughter wandered around the castle alone and bored when she spotted a little room she had never seen before.
In this room sat an old lady who was spinning with exactly such tools the king banned so many years ago. The princess was curious. Can she try to spin a bit?
Of course, she can.
So she pricked her finger and fell down.
Of course, she can.
So she pricked her finger and fell down.
Nothing could wake the princess up. They could only put her into a bed and wait. One hundred years? Until a king's son came by?
And what then? What should a princess do after a full century of sleeping? Everybody she knows will already be dead and her clothes will definitely fall out of fashion!
And what then? What should a princess do after a full century of sleeping? Everybody she knows will already be dead and her clothes will definitely fall out of fashion!
Luckily there was a dwarf with seven-league boots. He ran to the fairy who was so nice to soften the deadly curse. Could she help a bit more?
Yes, she came to the rescue in a magnificent chariot drawn by dragons. She took a walk around the castle and touched everybody with her magical wand. Everybody but the king and the queen.
Yes, she came to the rescue in a magnificent chariot drawn by dragons. She took a walk around the castle and touched everybody with her magical wand. Everybody but the king and the queen.
People and animals in the castle fell asleep. They will awaken right after the sleeping princess so they can serve her as she was used to.
But her parents have to part with her. They shall leave the castle and never come back.
But her parents have to part with her. They shall leave the castle and never come back.
It's time to say the last goodbye.
Soon, the plants around the castle overgrew everything and surrounded the sleeping princess with her servants with dangerous thorns. Nobody was able to get through. All kinds of rumors started about the place behind the wall of branches and thorns.
Long after, a full century after, a young prince came by and, like many others, started asking about the mysterious place. What is behind the thorns?
Long after, a full century after, a young prince came by and, like many others, started asking about the mysterious place. What is behind the thorns?
An old man told him a story he heard long ago from his father who heard it from his father. A sleeping beauty is supposed to be hidden in a castle behind the thorns, waiting for her rescuer.
The prince wanted to try to get through and branches moved away, making a pass for him but immediately closed behind him so nobody else from his entourage could follow him.
The prince wanted to try to get through and branches moved away, making a pass for him but immediately closed behind him so nobody else from his entourage could follow him.
He really found a castle. There were people inside, lying around, obviously sleeping but unable to wake up.
The prince explored the castle. Is the legend true? Is there really a sleeping beauty waiting for him?
He passed by sleeping servants. Everybody was motionless, deeply in sleep, including the cats and the dogs.
The prince explored the castle. Is the legend true? Is there really a sleeping beauty waiting for him?
He passed by sleeping servants. Everybody was motionless, deeply in sleep, including the cats and the dogs.
The prince has to climb the stairs still looking for the sleeping beauty.
There was a guard, sleeping, of course, in front of a room, where the princess was supposed to sleep.
When the prince entered the princess's chamber, she immediately woke up and they fell in love with each other at first sight. They started talking and they stayed in the room for hours.
In the meantime, everybody else in the castle woke up and began preparing for the wedding.
The young prince and princess decided they were meant for each other.
The young prince and princess decided they were meant for each other.
Everything was bursting with life again in the castle. When the supper was ready they married and lived happily ever after.
This is where the story of Sleeping Beauty ends and Dick Whittington and his Cat begins.
