Rene Bull Collection at Spirit of the Ages

René Bull Collection

As you make your way through this page, you will have the opportunity to view and purchase more than 100 genuine

images drawn from René Bull's illustrations from a variety of sources, including The Arabian Nights (1912), Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám (1913) and a further illustrative interpretation of The Arabian Nights (circa 1930).


One of many colour images	One of many monotone images	One of many colour images	One of many monotone images
*The Arabian Nights*		*Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám*

One of many colour images

The Arabian Nights

As enthusiasts, while preparing these illustrations in the largest size possible, we appreciate the desirability of replicating

the line, form, colour and finish of these wonderful images just as they would have appeared to Bull. To that end,

throughout the page that follows, we have shown images optimised for reproduction in larger formats - usually in a

manner pleasing for 10 x 13" or 10 x 15" framing options. We consider those formats identified to be the largest that

allows the accurate reproduction of form, line and colour as prepared by Bull and originally printed in the 1st Edition

plates. To reproduce the images, we have utilised a high definition capture and reproduction technique and ensure that

the prints are displayed with a satin finish that reproduces the visual appearance of the original plates.

Purchasing one, or more, of those reproductions is a simple as clicking on the "Add to Cart" buttons and following the

prompts provided for PayPal purchase.

We have also developed a range of Giftware that includes images reproduced on 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.

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.

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

The Artwork of René Bull

René Bull (1872-1942) is considered among the artists associated with what has been termed the Golden Age of Fantasy Illustration. Born in Dublin, Bull embarked on what was to be a varied artistic career after meeting the French satirist and political cartoonist Caran d'Ache (the pseudonym of Emmanuel Poiré) in Paris.

Bull contributed sketches and political cartoons to a variety of publications throughout his career and developed further artistic influences following his travels to the Middle East. That personal experience allowed Bull to incorporate expert detail into those illustrations with Oriental themes and like Edmund Dulac and Warwick Goble, he incorporated those influences in suites of illustrations for illustrated books. The most notable of those titles were The Arabian Nights (1912) and Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám (1913).

The Arabian Nights (1912)

A rare copy of the 1st Edition of The Arabian Nights - as illustrated by René Bull - published by Constable & Co. Ltd. (London) in 1912.

To the left, we show a copy retaining the original

decoratively gilt-stamped tan cloth cover with

applied paste-down.

On the right, we show the illustrated

Title Page for The Arabian Nights.

Colour Illustration

Code: RB TAN 1

Colour Illustration

Code: RB TAN 2

The Ass, the Ox and the Labourer

Monotone Illustration

Code: RB TAN 3

The Ass, the Ox and the Labourer

... made at the labourer, as if he would have gored him

Code: RB TAN 4

The Ass, the Ox and the Labourer

... he could scarcely stand when he came back

Code: RB TAN 5

The Ass, the Ox and the Labourer

... cried there all night

Code: RB TAN 6

The Merchant and the Genie

Monotone Illustration

Code: RB TAN 7

The Merchant and the Genie

... he found a fountain of clear water

Code: RB TAN 8

The Story of the First Old Man and the Hind

Monotone Illustration

Code: RB TAN 9

The Story of the First Old Man and the Hind

... he in an instant recovered his natural form

Code: RB TAN 10

The Story of the Second Old Man

and the Two Black Dogs

Monotone Illustration

Code: RB TAN 11

The Story of the Second Old Man

and the Two Black Dogs

... I buried the other three thousand

Code: RB TAN 11

The Story of the Second Old Man

and the Two Black Dogs

She transported me in a moment from the island

to the roof of my own house

Code: RB TAN 13

The Story of the Fisherman

Monotone Illustration

Code: RB TAN 14

The Story of the Fisherman

... he took a knife and opened it

Code: RB TAN 15

The Story of the Fisherman

Ah! replied the fisherman, why would you kill me?

Code: RB TAN 16

The Arabian Nights (circa 1930)

To the left, we show a rare copy of The Arabian Nights with colour illustration by René Bull and monotone images by Helen Stratton.

This 1st Edition - containing a new suite of images by Bull from those published in 1912 - was published by Blackie & Son Limited (London) in the early 1930s and shows the decoratively multi-coloured stamped green cover.

The Arabian Nights published by Blackie & Sons Limited (London) in the early 1930s contains a suite of colour images by Bull in addition to a multitude of monotone illustrations by Helen Stratton. The colour illustrations contributed by Bull are a different suite of images from those he prepared for an earlier version of this title, but are, nevertheless, of a similar style.

The tales included in this version of The Arabian Nights include: "Sinbad the Sailor"; "Codadad and his Brothers"; "Prince Ahmed and the Fairy Banou"; "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves"; "The Merchant and the Genie"; "The Enchanted Horse"; "Houreddin and the Fairy Persian"; "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp"; "The Story of Ganem; or, Love's Slave"; "Camaralzaman and Badoura"; "The Story of the Sisters"; "Abou Hassan; or, The Sleeper Awakened"; and "Beder and Giauhara".

Sinbad the Sailor

Codadad and his Brothers