Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book

I had been shown a copy of this book over ten years ago. I thought it was hysterical. The squashed fairies by Brian Froud were a hoot, and the narration by Terry Jones of Monty Python fame was amusing, getting a bit racy as the time passed along with the entries. So it isn't a small children's book due to some of the mature subject matter. (It isn't lurid by most standards though. There is a bit of nudity as well, as is common in fairy illustrations intended for a more mature audience.)Anyway, years later after I had seen the book, a friend began to take an avid interest in fairy art and I remembered Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book and decided it would be perfect for her. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate it, it seemed to have gone out of print, so each year I'd give her an alternative such as "Faeries" and "Good Fairies/Bad Fairies" (also illustrated by Froud, along with Alan Lee in the case of the former) for Christmas until this year when I finally spotted an affordable copy of the pressed fairy book. I ordered it almost immediately.The only negative thing I need to comment upon that made the book take a one-star hit was that it was shipped with a couple other items I had ordered. The items were in small boxes which had sharp corners and in the bouncing around in transit, each side of the book's cover had a small puncture. Pretty much unnoticeable and not something that would not have bothered me overmuch had the book been for me. But still, when I give a gift, I like it to be flawless. I'm sure the recipient will not mind, though. but the packaging could have been a bit tighter. If possible, I probably would have only taken off 1/2 of a star for the issue, it was really pretty insignificant.

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.

Thank you! As described 😊

I have given these to friends many times in the past, and I just gave my copy to my granddaughter, so I had to buy another one. It's one of a kind, that's for sure.

i had a hard cover one that was much bigger , same book just not what i had hoped

The book arrived in mint condition and even included the sticker! So happy to have found this book I read as a teen (15? 16?) and it's perfect. I got mine used from so_goodwill

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.

The book I purchased was in better condition than I anticipated and well packaged. It is already being enjoyed and I just received it moments ago!I will definitely be shopping through this Bookseller in the future.

This is an hilarious book for people with a rye sense of humour.Terry Jones is at his best with this book. I loved the smashed faces of all the different fairies throughout the book with notes by the slightly mad Lady Coddington. Anyone with delicate sensibilities beware, this is not for the faint of heart, nor is this really a childrens book. Enjoy!

なんか、レビューのタイトルだけで説明しきっちゃったような気もするのですが・・（汗）あの有名な「lady cottington's pressed〜」のミニサイズ版です。なんでわざわざサイズを小さくしたのかよく分からないのですが、メモ帳や日記帳やダイアリーなど手をかえ品をかえてヒット作を「もっと売ろうッ！」という出版社側のハナイキって相当荒いんだなァ・・なんて関係無いところでしみじみなっちゃいました。ポケットサイズでもよくできているし（というか元がいいから）悪くはないんだけど、値段に釣られて安いこっちの方を買っちゃった私は、「・・やっぱり大きい通常サイズのやつをゲットし直そう」と決めました。だってやっぱりこの本は美しいフェアリーの絵あってこそだしね。ケチは駄目だ！【追記】ア、本のあらすじは、「フェアリーを捕まえて、本にバン！と挟んで『押し絵』にしちゃったクレイジーガールの愉快な日記」とでもいうところかな。すごく洒落てて、絵・文ともに一級品のあじ。ぜひお召しあがれ。

This book when new has a card inside with a picture of a fairy. My used copy didn’t have that so it seems it is lost. The book otherwise was in good condition and was purchased to replace my copy which I gave away. It’s a beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations.

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!!!

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!! :)