A Danish historian uncovers a long-hidden manuscript that hints at Andersen’s earliest fairy-tale voice
A Danish historian recently uncovered a long-hidden manuscript believed to be among Hans Christian Andersen’s earliest creative efforts. The six-page fairy tale, titled The Tallow Candle, was found tucked away in a box of miscellaneous items donated to the National Archives by a prominent Odense family—the town where Andersen grew up. Archivists reviewing the discovery note that the handwriting matches other early papers from the collection, and the six pages show a writer still shaping his voice. For readers in Canada and the United States, this find offers a rare window into how Andersen began crafting a distinctive fairy tale voice that would enchant generations with stories that blend whimsy, hardship, and a clear moral sense. The discovery also demonstrates how archival work can surface pieces of a creator’s life that shed new light on familiar legends, adding texture to the record by showing how a young writer conceived images and scenarios that would become familiar across international editions. The box containing the manuscript was part of a larger donation from a family known for supporting local culture in Odense, and the provenance strengthens confidence in the piece’s authenticity. Experts caution that more analysis may be needed to confirm whether the text underwent revisions, but the current assessment places The Tallow Candle firmly in the early phase of Andersen’s career, before the tales The Emperor’s New Clothes and Thumbelina made him a household name. (National Archives, 2024)
The six-page story was dedicated to a neighboring widow, a small but telling gesture that hints at the social networks and everyday kindness that shaped many of Andersen’s early works. The compact length reflects a habit of testing ideas in short formats before expanding into longer narratives. Although brief, the tale reveals a voice that would later mature into a blend of gentle humor, moral clarity, and compassion for ordinary people. The discovery helps fill a gap in the record of his early output and offers readers a glimpse into how he experimented with character voices, pacing, and the balance between lightness and tenderness. Even in its concise form, the tale suggests the cadence and rhythm that would become hallmarks of his most enduring works, indicating how a writer moved from intimate local storytelling to stories that traveled beyond Denmark’s borders.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Andersen’s appearance has often been described as plain, yet biographers argue that his inner life found its voice in stories of transformation. The Ugly Duckling turns vulnerability into courage and reveals a seed of self-acceptance that resonates with readers of all ages.
- He was born on April 2, 1805, and April 2 is observed worldwide as International Children’s Book Day to honor his life and to celebrate the joy and imagination found in children’s literature.
- During his lifetime he drew attention in fits and starts, with real popularity arriving as his work matured into the forties and fifties. Readers in different lands helped push his reputation forward, and over time his stories gathered a devoted audience that spans generations.
- In Copenhagen harbor a mermaid statue stands as a tribute to the tale that helped make his name a household reference across the world. The statue remains a popular symbol for visitors and locals alike who want to recall the moment a single tale changed how people think about fairy stories.
- Andersen died in 1875, leaving behind no wife or children, yet his stories live on in editions, stage adaptations, and countless readers.