The Tales of Robin Hood

The Tales of Robin Hood [Official Nottinghamshire County Council Souvenir Guide / Companion to the Legend] Format: Stapled / fold-out illustrated booklet, 33 pages (approx.), large format softcover, full-color covers and interior illustrations Condition: Fine. Clean, bright, and well-preserved example with minimal wear. Covers are crisp with vibrant colors and only very light handling/edge rubbing consistent with age and careful storage. No tears or significant marks to pages or spine. All illustrations and text are sharp and complete. Interior pages are fresh with no foxing, annotations (beyond the original 1986 gift inscription), or discoloration. A lovely copy of this scarce local publication. Handwritten Easter 1986 inscription on the front endpaper: “love from Paul and Nicola” – a charming period touch that adds provenance without detracting from condition. This rare official publication from Nottinghamshire County Council tells the story of England’s most famous outlaw through the classic medieval ballads and legends. Produced as an educational and tourist companion to the Robin Hood heritage sites, exhibitions, and the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre (opened in the early 1980s), it serves as both a beautifully illustrated retelling and a historical overview. Key Contents Include: Introduction to Robin Hood’s fame and enduring appeal. “The Birth of the Legends & the Robin Hood Stories” – covering early ballads and literary history. Detailed retellings of core tales from A Gest of Robyn Hode, including “Robin Hood and the Knight,” “Little John and the Sheriff of Nottingham,” “Robin Hood and the Monk,” “Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne,” “Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar,” and “Robin Hood’s Death.” Sections on historical context, “Robin Hood and the Historians,” place names associated with the legend across Britain, and the real Sherwood Forest landscape. “The Characters” – profiles of Robin Hood, Little John, Will Scarlet, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck, the Sheriff, and others, with vibrant color illustrations. “Background to the Ballad Stories,” audience context in the Middle Ages, and Robin Hood’s evolution from early ballads to modern culture. Richly illustrated throughout with color plates (including stained-glass style artwork, detailed character scenes, and exhibition photos), black-and-white historical reproductions, maps, and line drawings. The booklet features high-quality, atmospheric artwork evoking medieval England, with contributions from various artists and sources tied to Nottinghamshire’s Robin Hood exhibitions (specific illustrator credits for modern color work are not prominently listed on the publication, but it draws on traditional and commissioned pieces for the era’s tourism materials, alongside historical engravings and photos). Author: David Hool – A writer commissioned by Nottinghamshire County Council for this heritage project. Limited biographical details are publicly available, but his work here reflects thorough research into the Robin Hood ballads, local history, and the county’s efforts to promote its legendary connections in the late 20th century. This appears to be his primary (or most notable) published title in this field. Illustrations & Design: The booklet is a visual delight, blending original color illustrations of key scenes, reproductions of classic woodcuts/engravings, modern interpretive art (including stained-glass inspired designs referencing local exhibitions), and photographic elements of Sherwood Forest and related sites. It was designed to appeal to both children and adults as an engaging souvenir. This 1983 first edition is increasingly scarce on the market. It captures Nottinghamshire’s active promotion of Robin Hood tourism in the 1980s, predating later attractions while drawing on centuries of ballad tradition. A wonderful piece for collectors of Robin Hood folklore, British local history, tourism ephemera, or illustrated children’s/non-fiction from the period.…