Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book

Be warned. You may accidentally purchase a miniature version of the book you love!I love all these books, and this is a favorite of mine. I have checked it out from the library many times.When I decided to buy my own copy, (from Goodwill through Amazon) I never thought to check for dimensions in the description!!!The one I received is a perfect copy, but only 4x6 inches. I was SO surprised and shocked. Of course, the writing is so small you can barely read it. Instead of 9 x 12 gloriousness, I have a tiny mini.

First I must say that this is not a G rated book and more for adult fairy lovers. With English humor and yet it is a totally perfect gift for the right people. I first stumbled on this in Cambria California at one of those unique bookstores that are few and far between due to all of the big box bookstores that have gone in. At the time, I owned a store in Paso Robles CA and paid full price to just have it in my store. And it was a hit! I later found it wholesale and purchased through that source and then when I had a craft show idea creating my own smashed fairies to sell along with the book, I purchased a dozen or so on Amazon and they were a hit. I definitely am not a prude but am pretty conservative and this book is great. Like I said, it takes a certain humor and not for kids under about twelve or so.... but it is definitely one a teenage girl who loves fairies would most likely like. It's centered around the photograph of Lady Cottington and her fairies. And written in the form of a child's diary and then into a woman's journal. The smashing of fairies is a bit crude and some nude fairies are among the cut outs included which can be removed by the more conservative gift giver, but I personally think that would ruin it. But to each his own.By the way... shouldn't the reviews of the seller not describing the size of the book or if they received it damaged should be reviewed under the SELLER, and NOT the item? I really feel that the stars should reflect how they felt about the book, not if it was damaged or not. THAT should be a seller's review.

This book is part of a series of Faerie books about Lady Cottington of England from the 1800's era, who saw and interacted with Faerie beings and kept a diary/pressing book of her involvement with them. Lady Cottington impulsively decided to start pressing faeries in a flower pressing book one day, and so this collection of smooshed bizarre, charming, cute, and sometimes ugly little faeries came to be the colorful, and wonderful illustrations of this book outlined by her diary entries in varying degrees of penmenship skill (as she ages) in cursive writing. This book does show female breasts and faerie buttocks so may not be suitable for all readers. The cursive can be a bit hard on the eyes too though the size of the lettering is fairly large. The story does have a few promiscuities that again may not be suitable for some readers. The book itself is well made and the cover is lightly padded, so mildly soft/squishy to the touch. I think this book would be excellent for adults or children who love faeries and fantasy and are looking for something not run of the mill. It also comes with a smooshed faery window cling decoration inside the cover! Lady Cottington was a real person and was involved in a real faery hoax when she was alive, and it is a matter of conjecture today if perhaps to spite the hoax issue there wasn't a bit of reality to be found as well.

I actually bought this book as a gift for a friend. I remembered seeing it back in the mid 90s and thinking it was so unique, quirky, and hilariously conceived. Recently, I wanted to get one particular friend a gift I knew she would enjoy. When I told her that Amazon wanted a review, she said the following:“ Everything about it was perfect, the padded cover. the colours, the drawings, the writing. I LOVE IT HARD and it is sooooo inspirational. :-) “

When I first saw this book years ago I laughed out loud about its subject. Such a great story and idea and also sad. But hilarious for someone who would like an adult "child's" book about fairies. If you love fairies and fairylands you might find it horrific, but it is funny when you think about pressed flowers and the innocence of childhood...maybe there is a darker story here, I am not finished reading. I don't think it is appropriate for children because of it's violence, but some people will find it charming and funny.

Although it helps to have some background on the Cottingley Fairy hoax of circa 1918-1925, the book's humor can be appreciated even if you aren't up to speed on that bit.The Cottingley Fairy mystery/hoax was initiated by some photographs of the young girls with some fairy-like creatures;it's obvious today that these are cleverly arranged cutouts. But at the time the authenticity of the images was hotly debated, with no less than Sherlock Holmes' creator Arthur Conan-Doyle backing the claims. The young girl diarist in this spoof, moving from childhood through adolescence, instead of photographing the little creatures, slams them between the pages of her book as they flitter about. Their agonized, surprised or angry expressions are captured beautifully in the wonderful illustrations. The book's publisher solemnly assures the reader that no fairies were actually squished in the production of the book, but only their psychic images were captured. The diarist's atrocious spelling makes some progress as she matures but not very much. I highly recommend this book not only to Monte Python fans but to anyone who needs a good laugh as comic relief from the doldrums.

I had been looking for this book for 2 years, and finally found it at a reasonable price in like new condition. My friends and I loved to look through this book when we were younger, and I was so excited to open the package when it arrived. It is perfect. The story is really fun, and the artwork is just so beautiful. Anyone who is a fan of Brian Froud should definitely have a copy of this book!

Gorgeous!!!I read this book when I was in high school and was desperate for my own copy but could never afford it. I'm very grateful that I could now but my own copy and share it with my kids.I absolutely love it and this copy was in fantastic condition!!!

Purchased for my niece for her 18th birthday she loves the book as into fairies

Such a lovely book!! Very funny and such gorgeous artwork. and IT CAME A DAY BEFORE IT WAS DUE!!! I got the dispatch email this morning and it arrived this morning as well! As soon as I opened it a faerie (bookmark I think) fell out onto the floor, it was a lovely surprise (sorry I've ruined it for everyone else now) I wasn't too sure what it would be like when I ordered it and after seeing everyone give 5 stars, I decided to go ahead and buy it and I'm so glad I did!! :)

A dainty pocket sized journal giving a lovely tale of things enchanted, mine even still had the little window sticker that now addornes my dressing mirror.... those pesky piskies get everywhere!!!!.....A delightful read although the print is a little tiring on the eyes.... beautiful illustrations too...a nice book to share with grand children.... but mind their little fingers don't ruin it!!

Recording things in nature whilst out and about and anything else of interest.