Anyone recommend a good illustrated encyclopedia type book of fantastical creatures

[Subterranean]

I'm looking to get such a book for Christmas for a good friend. It must have a good number of illustrations, preferably colour, of the creatures and or scenes. I did find The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures (cant post a link without 15 posts sorry, its easy to find on amazon) which looked like a very good bet, but after having looked at it in a bookshop, it did not have enough pictures, though it was packed with information.

Could anyone help me with just a few days left to buy it before christmas closes in?

Thanks for any help.

 

[jojajihisc]

Re: Anyone recommend a good illustrated encyclopedia type book of fantastical creatur

Barlowe's Guide to Fantasy.

 

[GOLLUM]

Re: Anyone recommend a good illustrated encyclopedia type book of fantastical creatur

Well, if you are after a classic you could try Jorge Loius Borge's Book Of Imaginary Beings.

 

[Scifi fan]

Re: Anyone recommend a good illustrated encyclopedia type book of fantastical creatur

How about "Dictionary of Imaginary Places"?

 

[clovis-man]

Re: Anyone recommend a good illustrated encyclopedia type book of fantastical creatur

There's also Barlowe's Guide to Extra-Terrestrials which is in its second edition now and can be had for cheap on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Barlowe's guide to extraterrestrials: Wayne Douglas Barlowe: Books

Great illustrations as well as nice extrapolated descriptions.

 

[Werewoman]

Re: Anyone recommend a good illustrated encyclopedia type book of fantastical creatur

I know it's way past Christmas and this reply is too late, but a few days ago a good friend loaned me two illustrated books; Maginistix by Boris Vallejo & Julie Bell, and the other one is called Dreams - The Art of Boris Vallejo.

The artwork is fantastic and there's a brief description of each painting that includes information about the title and other things worth mentioning such as who, what where and why for each painting. Boris V. does most of his artwork for fantasy novels, the Franklin Mint, advertisements, special requests, sci-fi and fantasy convention posters, movie posters, etc - and they all have some mythical character, person, place or thing. There are dragons, aliens, very scantily clad goddesses, very scantily clad female warriors, and some completely unclad, but tastefully done. He tends to use foliage to cover up the 'naughty bits'. <grin> Each one has a different interpretation and I like them because you really have to study the pictures to see what he's expressing. Truly stunning!!

 

[Omphalos]

Re: Anyone recommend a good illustrated encyclopedia type book of fantastical creatur

The first (1979 edition) Encyclopedia of SF and F, edited by Nichols and Clute (their names are that way, as opposed to Clute and Nichols on later editions) is illustrated. Barlowe's is probably the kind of thing you are looking for though.