The Crafty Farmer, A Spanish Folk Tale (Signed first edition)

1938, signed by Gregorio Prieto

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition, first printing. Hardback in yellow paper covered boards with printed titling to spine and upper board. 29.5 × 23cm, 31pp.

This copy has been signed and dedicated by Gregorio Prieto to the ffep "Para Rafaelete, Gregorio, Londes, Dec 1938". Rafaelete was Rafael Martínez Nadal (the additon of -ete is an affectionate diminutive). Both were central members of the "Generation of '27." They were close friends of Federico García Lorca and both fled to London during the Spanish Civil War. Nadal became the guardian of Lorca's manuscripts, and Prieto, who had arrived in London in 1937) was often working in collaboration with the Dolphin Bookshop, which was a vital centre for Spanish culture in the UK at the time.

An rare early title signed and illustrated by Spanish artist Gregorio Prieto. This is a Spanish folk-tale with five full-page drawings by Prieto, described in the introduction as a wide-spread theme of folk-lore being the triumph of craft over credulity and is based on a similar story told several times starting in the tenth or eleventh century, and in Spanish from the sixteenth century. This story of how the farmer has several magical animals and items, including a donkey that trumpets gold coins, and sells them to gullible merchants.

Condition

The yellow binding is in fair condition only, with tanning to the edges and a 7cm segment missing from the head of the spine. The contents however are in very good condition, with just a few spots of foxing. The inner binding is secure.