The High History of the Holy Graal (1903)

Illustrated by Jessie M King

 

 

On the left, we show a rare copy of The High History of the Holy Graal

that retains the original black- and gilt-stamped blue cloth cover - one

of the known variant bindings for the 1st Edition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the right, we show the Title Page for

The High History of the Holy Graal.

 

The High History of the Holy Graal (1903) presents the Arthurian legend - is it is now traditionally liked with the Quest for

the Holy Grail - with accompanying illustrative interpretation by the leading Scottish book illustrator, Jessie M King.

 

King's typical line and attention to detail are present throughout the pure monotone illustrations, in addition to those that are integrated with red ornamental borders (as shown in the detail appearing on the right).

The text to which King's illustrations have been matched is, as noted in the Introduction from Sebastian Evans, is a translation from the first volume of Pecival le Gallois ou le conte du Graal; edited by M. Ch. Potvin for 'La Société des Bibliophiles Belges' in 1866 (produced in turn, from the Manuscript numbered 11,145 in the library of the Dukes of Burgundy at Brussels). Evans notes that Manuscript is described by M. F. Marchal's catalogue as Le Roman de Saint Graal, beginning Ores lestoires in French and dates to the first third of the 16th Century.
 

 

Our Greeting Cards and Reproduction Prints

 

We have prepared sets of 23 Greeting Cards displaying each of King's major images for The High History of the Holy Graal and on the left, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear. Ordering one of those sets is as easy as selecting the "Add to Cart" feature below and following the prompts provided with our Shopping Cart secured through PayPal. Multiple purchases will be consolidated by that feature and shipping and handling costs to and destination in the world are accommodated by our flat-rate fee of US$20 for every US$200 worth of purchases.

 

Code: JMK HHHG CS(23)
Price: US$115.00

 

When presented on Greeting Cards, these images are prepared as tipped-in plates - in homage to the hand-crafted

approach typical of prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century.

 

Hand-finishing is used to replicate the visual appearance of a tipped-in plate and the images are presented on

Ivory card stock (in the case of colour illustrations) or White card stock (in the case of monotone illustrations)

with an accompanying envelope. We have left the cards blank so that you may write your own personal

message.

 

Should you wish to order a Reproduction Print of one or more of these images, we have provided some options

below. Of course, should you wish to discuss some customised options, we welcome your contact on any matter

through ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.

 

In the meantime, enjoy perusing these wonderful examples of the art of Jessie M King.

 

 

The major illustrations

 

The Damsels of the Car

Messire Gawain Departeth

from the Castle

 

 

A Clerk Brought a Golden Vessel

to the Fountain

The Graal Appeareth to Messire Gawain

at the Feast

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: JMK HHHG C1 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: JMK HHHG C2 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: JMK HHHG C3 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: JMK HHHG C4 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Launcelot Went his Way

A Damsel Mounteth

the Steps

 

 

A Knight Riding a Great Pace

toward the Forest

 

 

She Filched away the Sword

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: JMK HHHG C5 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: JMK HHHG C6 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: JMK HHHG C7 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: JMK HHHG C8 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Dindrane Prayeth Succour

Perceval Seeth the

Questing Beast

 

 

The Knight of the

Burning Dragon

Percival Departeth from the

Hermitage and Carrieth the

Banner

 

 
       

The Knights Come through the Forest

with such a Rushing

The Lord of the Castle Findeth

his Daughter Weeping

 

 

Laucelot's Vigil by the Queen

Perceval Goeth toward the

Deep Forest

 

(Frontispiece)

 

 
       

The Joy of Perceval's Sister

 

 

 He Espied at the Door a Squire

Meliot Findeth the

Weeping Damsel

And a Damsel Kept Watch

over a Dead Knight

 

 
       
 

Four Clad in White Garments

A Dansel of Passing Great Beauty

Held his Head in her Lap

 

 

Perceval Winneth the Golden Cup

  
       

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Sebastian Evan's Introduction to The High History of the Holy Graal

 

This Book is translated from the first volume of Perceval le Gallois ou le conte du Graal; edited by M. Ch. Potvin for

'La Société des Bibliophiles Belges' in 1866,1 from the MS. numbered 11,145 in the library of the Dukes of Burgunday at

Brussels. This MS. I fund thus described in M. F. Marchal's catalogue of that priceless collection: 'Le Roman de Saint Graal,

beginning Ores lestroires, in the French language; date, first third of the sixteenth century; with ornamental capitals.' 2

Written three centuries later that the original romance, and full as it is of faults of the scribe, this manuscript is by far the

most complete known copy of the Book of the Graal in existence, being defective only Branch xxi. Titles 8 and 9, the

substance of which if fortunately preserved elsewhere.