Hand-Made Fables was published by Doubleday, Page in 1920. After years away from the fable format, Ade returned to the form that had made his reputation. The new collection demonstrated that his satirical eye was still sharp — the postwar era provided fresh targets in the form of war profiteers, jazz-age social climbers, and the new breed of automobile enthusiasts — but the slang that had felt bracingly modern in 1899 now required more effort from readers.
The collection was well-received but could not recapture the cultural moment of the original Fables in Slang. Ade’s vernacular was rooted in the 1890s, and while he updated his vocabulary, the fundamental rhythm and sensibility belonged to an earlier America.
Collecting Hand-Made Fables
First edition (Doubleday, Page, New York, 1920): Cloth binding.
Market values:
- Fine condition: $30–$75
- Very good: $10–$30
Projected values (2026–2036): Modest appreciation.
The Late Return
After a long hiatus from the fable format — during which Ade focused on playwriting and screenwriting — Hand-Made Fables (1920) marks a return to the form that made him famous. The slang has evolved, the targets have shifted, and the post-World War I world is harsher than the genial turn-of-the-century America of the earlier collections. Some fables recapture the old magic; others feel like exercises in a formula whose moment has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ade write for the movies? Yes. Ade worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood during the silent era, and several of his plays were adapted for film. His theatrical work, particularly The College Widow and The Sultan of Sulu, translated well to the screen. He was part of the first generation of American writers to move between newspapers, theatre, and film.