One of Andersen’s earliest fairy tales, first published in 1837, it tells the tale of an emperor who neglects affairs of state, preferring instead to spend all his time in his dressing-room. One day, two swindlers arrive in town, boasting that they can weave clothes that possess an unusual quality: they become invisible to anyone who is stupid or unfit for the job they do. The emperor immediately commissions the weavers to create a splendid new outfit for him. One by one, the emperor’s closest advisers and confidants visit the weavers to see the cloth for themselves and to prove their worthiness, only to leave uncertain of their skills and their future. What will they say to the emperor when he sees his new clothes?

This classic fairy tale has been continuously in print in different editions since its first publication, with many artists illustrating the story over the years. This edition features a beautiful collection of artwork by notable illustrators including W. Heath Robinson, Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac.