CLARKE, Susanna. The Ladies of Grace Adieu and other stories. Illustrated by Charles Vess. [London]: Bloomsbury [2006]. 8vo, [x] 239pp. Grey boards pictorially stamped in black and pink. Black endpapers; 16 full-page b&w illustrations. A near fine copy with corners a tad rubbed. Signed by the artist, Charles Vess.

First edition. Following the enormous success of 2004 bestseller and critics' favorite Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke delivered this delicious collection of ten stories set in the same fairy-crossed world of 19th-century England, all wonderfully captured by award-winning fantasy artist Charles Vess’ evocative illustrations. With Clarke's characteristic historical detail and diction, these dark, enchanting tales unfold in a slightly distorted version of our own world, where people are bedeviled by mischievous interventions from the fairies.