When Was Hans Christian Andersen's Version of Cinderella Created?

Hans Christian Andersen is often associated with various classic fairy tales, but when it comes to Cinderella, his contribution is often misunderstood. It’s imperative to clarify that Andersen didn’t write a version of Cinderella. The tale as we know it today didn't originate from Andersen, but from other folklore traditions and authors.

Where Did Cinderella Begin?

The modern version of Cinderella was actually written by Charles Perrault in 1697, long before Andersen's time. Perrault's version of the story, titled La Petit Poucet, was published in his collection of fairy tales, Histoires ou Contes du Temps Passé, avec des Moralités.

Andersen's Other Tales and Their Publication

While Andersen might not have written Cinderella, his contribution to the world of fairy tales is immense. Andersen began writing his fairy tales at the age of 29, a period marked by a great deal of excitement and creativity. His tales were published in installments, with the first volume being published in 1835, the year of the earliest installment of Danish Fairy Tales. Other parts of the first volume appeared in 1836 and 1837.

The Publication Timeline

Andersen's fairy tales were a series of publications that spanned several years. In 1835, a volume containing his first four tales - The Tinder Box, The Princess and the Pea, Little Claus and Big Claus, and Little Idas Flowers - was published in May. Another volume following up with three more tales was published in December of the same year.

The Early Publications

The first volume of Andersen's Fairy Tales (Danish: Eventyr) was published in Copenhagen in 1835, with additional installments appearing the following years. However, the biography doesn’t explicitly mention Andersen's version of Cinderella. This can perhaps be attributed to the fact that Andersen was known for his unique interpretations and adaptations of traditional tales, rather than inventing entirely new stories from scratch.

The Value of Andersen's Work

Initially, the value of Andersen’s work was not widely recognized. The tales were slow to sell, but over time, they gained recognition for their depth, emotion, and literary merit. Andersen's storytelling style and his ability to infuse traditional tales with new meanings and emotional depth continue to make his works timeless and beloved.

For more information on Andersen and his works, you can refer to detailed biographies and collections of his fairy tales, such as the 2015 biography by R. O. UDisappear