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Paul Woodroffe Collection

 

Throughout this page you will have the opportunity to consider wonderful vintage images from Paul Woodroffe's

contribution to The Tempest.

 

We have developed a range of Giftware that includes images reproduced from the 1st Edition plates in our collection

to ensure the most accurate form, line and colour possible. We have utilised a high definition capture and reproduction

technique for the images - in contrast to the low definition representation necessary for this website. The illustrations

are available as cards, infants' clothing, T-shirts and unmatted, matted or framed prints (8x6", 10x8", 12x10", 15x10" and

30 x 20" images sizes). Pricing starts at US$4 for single Gift Cards (US$18 for select packs of 6) and 10 x 8" prints

(double-matted and framed) begin at US$60. Further details on those reproduction images are available at the Giftware

section of this site.

 

Details on purchasing also appear towards the end of the page, but should you wish to discuss an order, please contact us at

ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com referencing your request with the Stock Code of the plate, or plates in question and a

brief description (and rest assured, we do accept payment through PayPal or Direct Bank Deposit).

 

In the meantime, enjoy browsing our selection of genuine vintage and antique plates.

 

The Art of Paul Woodroffe

Paul Woodroffe (1875-1954) is one of the artists associated with the Golden Age of Fantasy Illustration.

 

Woodroffe's illustrations are characterised by a stunning blend of line, form and colour typical of the Pre-Raphaelites

and an Art Nouveau aesthete. Many of his characters are reminiscent of the marbles of Roman and Greek antiquity, but

imbibed with a quite other-worldly quality. The colours he uses are rich and the images powerful.

 

While Woodroffe's work for The Tempest may rank as among his most accomplished, he had a prolific career as an illustrator

for childrens' books, including: Beauty and the Beast; Cinderella; Goldilocks and the Three Bears; Jack and the Beanstalk;

Little Red Riding Hood; Puss in Boots; and Sleeping Beauty.

 

 

The Tempest (1908)

A rare copy of Shakespeare's The Tempest produced by Chapman & Hall Ltd (London) in 1908.

This copy shows the original green cloth, pictorially gilt-stamped cover.

In addition to the wonderful colour images and marginal illustrations by Paul Woodroffe, this edition of The Tempest also includes songs by Joseph Moorat. Moorat (1864-1938) was a musician and composer who prepared music for other publications - including A Country Garland of 10 Songs Gathered from the Hesperides of Robert Herrick, Thirty Old-Time Nursery Songs, Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind - in addition to composing for theatrical productions such as those written by Laurence Housman: Bethlehem: A Nativity Play; and Prunella.

 

 

Two examples of Paul Woodroffe's marginal illustrations for The Tempest

 

 

Shakespeare's The Tempest weaves a tale around the themes as diverse as betrayal, sorcery and witchcraft, spiritual forces revenge and forgiveness - themes which revolve around the central character, Prospero. Prospero is the sorceror who, prior to being stranded on an island after being betrayed by his brother, had been the rightful Duke of Milan. After twelve years stranded with his daughter, Miranda, a spirit companion, Ariel and a deformed monster, Caliban, Prospero has the opportunity to wreck a passing boat carrying his brother by conjuring a tempest to drive the vessel to annihilation - and thereafter begins Prospero's journey towards reconciliation with his brother and the return of all to Italy through his magical powers of all those who came hence.

 

As illustrated by Paul Woodroffe, this version includes powerful images that do justice to the themes explored by Shakespeare.

 

20 colour images, each illustrating extracts from Shakespeare's text

She did confine thee,

By help of her most potent ministers

And in her most unmitigable rage,

Into a cloven pine

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 1

 

On the topmast,

The yards and bowsprit, would I flame distinctly

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 2

Come unto these yellow sands

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 3

Full fathom five they father lies;

Of his bones are coral made

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 4

While you here do snoring lie

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 5

And yet I needs must curse

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 6

 

Four legs and two voices:

a most delicate monster!

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 7

Fair encounter

Of two most rare affections!

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 8

Lead, monster; we'll follow. I would I could

see this taborer: he lays it on

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 9

Give us kind keepers, heavens! - What

were these?

(I)

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 10

Give us kind keepers, heavens! - What

were these?

(II)

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 11

Ariel as a harpy

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 12

The Queen o' the Sky,

Whose watery arch and messenger am I,

Bids the leave these

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 13

Juno, Ceres and the Masque of the Nymphs

and Reapers

 (I)

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 14

Juno, Ceres and the Masque of the Nymphs

and Reapers

 (II)

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 15

 

Come, hang them on this line

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 16

 

Fury! Fury! there Tyranny, there! hark,

hark!

(I)

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 17

Fury! Fury! there Tyranny, there! hark,

hark!

(I)

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 18

On the bat's back I do fly

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 19

 

Sweet Lord, you play me false

 

 

Provenance: An English Collector

 

Code: PW TT 20

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Last modified: 06/29/08