Petit Collection at Spirit of the Ages

Throughout the page that follows, we have presented a selection of vintage plates from a range of artists, including

Robert Anning Bell, H R Millar, R Savage, Harold Nelson, Alfred Garth Jones, H Granville Fell, Newberry and Macbeth,

Percy E Green, Ethel Larcombe, Scolopax, M H Baillie Scott, Claude Shepperson, Gonzalez Moreno, Felix de Gray,

Auguste François Gorguet, Suzanne Lagneau, Edward J Detmold, Alexandre Rzewuski, Daphne Allen, Sidney H Sime,

François-Louis Schmied, Gaston Priou, Walt Disney and United Artists Corporation and Medieval Manuscipts.

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.

the Stock Code of the plate, or plates in question and a brief description (and rest assured, we do accept payment through

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

Robert Anning Bell (1863-1933) was an English artist who produced paintings, stained glass, sculpture and book illustrations.

Harold Nelson (1871-1946) was a British artist known for specialising in book illustrations and plates. His work is widely

A Banner

Provenance: An Australian Collector

Image Size: 12.5 x 21cm

Vintage Image Price: US$400

Code: N&AM B 1

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

Howard Pyle

The Travels of the Soul (The Century Magazine, 1902)

Title Illustrations

Monotone Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 13.3 x 20.3cm

Vintage Image Price: US$200

Code: HP TS 1

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

Monotone Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 10.7 x 14.6cm

Vintage Image Price: US$150

Code: HP TS 2

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

The Travels of the Soul

There was one clad all in red and white who stood within the shadows of the world and blew, so faint, so soft, upon a pipe. Thin and clear he blew the reed, and the name of that piper was Death.

Then, lo! the wicket of Paradise opened, and of a sudden there came forth a winged being. Like one in a dream she came, her sight half blinded, and her breath fluttering upon her lips. And she who thus came forth into the shadows of an earthly life was a human Soul. Before her face there lay the twilight of the world of Time, yet could she not stay herself from coming froth from Paradise, for the piercing sound of that shrill piping drew her thence even as though it were by a silver string tied to her heart. And so she came out into the shadows like one blinded and only half awake.

"Come!" said the voice of the Pipe, "come, for I await thee! Come! Descend into the cool shadows and let me lead thee out into the meadows of asphodel. For I am Death, and I shall be with thee to the end."

Now Death was clad all in a raiment pied of red and white; and the color of the red it stood for Terror, and the color of the white it stood for Peace.

So they met and joined, and one was Spirit and the other was Flesh.

Colour Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 13.3 x 20.3cm

Vintage Image Price: US$200

Code: HP TS 3

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

Monotone Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 10.7 x 14.6cm

Vintage Image Price: US$150

Code: HP TS 4

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

In the Meadows of Youth

Once upon a day, Death and the Soul came to a wide and dewy place where poppies bloomed; and it was the meadow-land of Youth.

Now by this time the sun had waxed hot, so that birds hardly sang among the leaves and the shady places spread a pleasant coolness.

And as the Soul walked thoughtfully beside the shining streams of water and amid the tall, damp grasses, pondering, the while, upon what further journeying might lie beyond, lo! there came the sound of one playing upon silver strings.

Thither drew the Soul, and saw there one who sat in the shadows of the grass, who struck the quivering chords of a hollow lute. And her fair, smiling face was as shallow and as vacant as the empty lute, and all clad was she in red and black. And the name of the one who sat there playing was Pleasure.

Then, as the Soul lingered in that place, there suddenly came one as though out of the sunlight and stood beside her, and, lo! he also was a winged being like herself. And whence he came the Soul knew not; yet he brought with him a radiance that was like the radiance of Paradise that she had quitted - that shining radiance that till now she had well-nigh forgotten. And at his coming her heart dissolved into a divine and luminous joy; for he was a great Enchanter, and his name was Love.

So they two winged creatures stood together, and the earth and the sky melted into one golden pool of joy. "Surely," said the Soul unto herself, "this is why I cam hitherward into the world." And so she stood wrapped with happiness.

But ever, as the Soul and Love stood together, there sounded the ringing of those trembling strings that Pleasure struck; and ever through all there pierced the faint, thin piping of that other player.

Then the thrilling Soul whispered, trembling: "Oh, who art thou, thou bright and winged being?"

And he answered: "I am Love, and these meadows are my abiding-place."

Colour Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 13.3 x 20.3cm

Vintage Image Price: US$200

Code: HP TS 5

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

Monotone Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 10.7 x 14.6cm

Vintage Image Price: US$150

Code: HP TS 6

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

Monotone Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 10.7 x 14.6cm

Vintage Image Price: US$150

Code: HP TS 7

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

In the Valley of the Shadows

Now, after these pleasant meadow-lands of Youth, there came other places wherein the Soul must travel. Some of these were hard and rugged, and covered all over with sharp stones; other led unto lofty altitudes whereunto the Soul must climb with utter striving and endeavor, but which achieved, lo! great spaces and wide lay spread before her, as it were a prospect of infinitude. Then were there great and solemn forests and hollow, fruitful valleys wherein she might pause to rest herself awhile, and so - anon climbing high, anon descending low - the Soul continued her journey she knew no whither.

Now, after a great while of this traveling, there lay before her a dark and dreadful valley, and this was the valley of the Shadow of Shadows.

And the Soul would fain have avoided this valley, but yet she could not, for thitherward lay her path, and there was none other.

Then she cried out to her companion, and said: "Must I pass through this valley of dreadful shadows? And canst thou, my companion, not save me from this?"

But Death spake not, but only piped, and she saw that there was no answer from him to be given.

So she entered the valley, and so great was the darkness that appeared to her that she had entirely lost her way. Yet did she still toil along the beaten path where so many other souls had traveled before she had come thither.

Then in a narrow way there came behind her one all clad in black, and that was Grief. And Grief offered her a cup, and said, "Drink of this!"

And the Soul said, "Alas! I am not athirst for that drink."

But Grief said only, "Drink of this1" and there was no escape. And so the winged Soul took the cup and drank. And the bitterness of the draught entered into her very heart, so that she nearly fainted from the sickness of it, and had to sit upon the earth for a long time.

And ever Death piped, and she sat and listened, weeping, to his piping.

Colour Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 13.3 x 20.3cm

Vintage Image Price: US$200

Code: HP TS 8

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

Monotone Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 10.7 x 14.6cm

Vintage Image Price: US$150

Code: HP TS 9

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

Monotone Illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Image Size: 10.7 x 14.6cm

Vintage Image Price: US$150

Code: HP TS 10

10 x 8" Reproduction: US$25

At the Gates of Life

And so, at last, the weary Soul reached nearly to the end of that dreadful valley, and she continually cried to herself: "Oh, that I could reach the end of this!"

The the end was there, and, lo! before her was a great door, as of thick wood, that barred the way, and seven flat steps of stone led upward to the door.

"Alas!" cried the fainting Soul, "whither now shall I go? for I cannot go forward, neither can I return that way whence I cam."

Then spake Death for the first time for all that journey: "Am not I thy traveling companion? Lo! not I will give thee aid."

Then he reached forth his hand and grasped the door and wrestled with it to open it. And it strove to resist him; and still he wrestled with it until, at last, he wrenched it violently open.

Then - oh, wonder! oh, marvel! - there gushed forth a great and blinding light of that same radiant Paradise she had quitted so long, so long ago, to enter into the shadows of the world. And to her ears there came the myriad sounds of multitudinous voices of all the other winged souls who had entered therein before her coming. And so they rejoiced with great singing and welcome, and bade her enter, for that her travels were ended.

Then Death said to the Soul: "Am not I thy friend? Lo! thou hast traveled with me long and far, and now thy journey is ended. Only now thou takest with thee back into thy heavenly home the seeds of earthly things which shall sometime burst forth into the perfect fruit of celestial achievement. Excepting for this journey, where wouldst thou have gathered those seeds? Behold me, O Soul! I am not Death, But Israfeel!"

Then the soul looked up into the face of her traveling companion, and, lo! the red cowl of Terror had fallen back from the face, and it was the face of a dark and beautiful angel which she beheld. And around his head and upon his solemn brows there hung the circle of a halo, and that halo was the halo of the dawning day.