
This is a vintage illustration, likely from a children's book, rendered in a black-and-white pen-and-ink style. The scene depicts a fantastical event with a central figure that appears to be a 'Sand-fairy' who has 'blown himself out'. The Sand-fairy is depicted as a large, dark, amorphous mass, resembling a deflated balloon or a pile of dark, tangled material. It has a few small, horn-like protrusions on its top and appears to be lying on the ground. The texture is created with dense, short lines, giving it a fuzzy, almost organic appearance. Surrounding the Sand-fairy are four children, each wearing a wide-brimmed hat and period clothing. They are positioned around the fairy as if observing it. The children are drawn with simple lines and minimal detail, focusing on their facial expressions and poses. Their hats and clothing suggest a historical setting. The overall style is reminiscent of classic children's book illustrations, with a focus on storytelling and imagination. The image is captioned 'The Sand-fairy blew himself out'.