The Princess Nobody - A Tale of Fairy Land (1884)

 

Illustrated by Richard Doyle

 

 

On the left, we show The Princess Nobody - A Tale of Fairy Land (1884), as illustrated by Richard Doyle and published by Longmans, Green and Co. (London). This example retains the original gold-stamped green board cover

with the applied colour paste-down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the right, we show the illustrated

Title Page prepared by Doyle.

 

The Princess Nobody - A Tale of Fairy Land (1884) is a book that published variants of the illustrations from Richard Doyle's

contributions to In Fairyland - A Series of Pictures from the Elf World (1870). In this case, however, the images are

associated with a tale by Andrew Lang that was specifically commissioned to be inspired by the original illustrations.

 

Lang's "Ballade of Dedication" pays fitting tribute to Doyle:

 

To all you babes at Branxholm Park,

This book I dedicate;

A book for winter evening dark,

Too dark to ride or skate.

I made it up out of my pate,

And wasted midnight oil,

Interpreting each cut and plate -

The works of Dicky Doyle!

 

When weary winter comes, and hark!

The Tevoit roars in "spate";

When half you think you'll need the Ark,

The flood's so fierce and great;

Think of the Prince and of his mate,

Their triumph and their toil,

And mark them drawn in all their state -

The works of Dicky Doyle!

 

Now, if my nonsense hits the mark -

If Wynnie, Pop, and Kate,

Think tales of Fays and Giants stark,

Not wholly out of date -

Another time, perchance, I'll prate,

And keep a merry coil,

Though ne'er I'll match the drawings great -

The works of Dicky Doyle!

 

Envoy.

 

Girls, may you ne'er know fear nor hate;

Boys, field like Mr Royle!

And, please, don't say I desecrate

The works of Dicky Doyle!

 

Published in the year after Doyle's death, the illustrations are produced with either variations in colour tones or as

monotone. In colour, 26 illustrations are shown (some spread over two pages), while captions monotone images total to

6 (one spread over two pages) - the highly detailed End Papers are also shown in monotone (printed in negative - to

stunning effect) with the illustration spread over two pages. A further 22 uncaptioned monotone illustrations appear as

marginalia.

 

 

Our Greeting Cards and Reproduction Images

 

 

We have prepared sets of 29 Greeting Cards displaying colour images from Richard Doyle's contributions to The Princess Nobody - A Tale of Fairy Land and on the left, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code: RD PN CS(29)
Price: US$145.00

 

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

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

hand-finished and the images are presented on Ivory card stock with an accompanying envelope. The rear of each

card carries information about Richard Doyle, this wonderful suite and the profiled illustration - we have left the interior

of the cards blank so that you may write your own personal message.

 

Similarly, we have provided options for the purchase of reproductions of these

wonderful images in a superb large format on 12 x 18" sheets and on the right,

we show an example of how these images can appear when framed.

 

Each of those reproductions is prepared with archival quality materials to ensure

many years of ongoing enjoyment.

 

To purchase, simply click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button and you will

be taken through to our Shopping Cart secured through PayPal. Multiple

purchases will be consolidated by that feature and shipping and handling costs

to any destination in the world are accommodated by our flat-rate fee of

US$20 for every US$200 worth of purchases.

 

We are able to reproduce these images in a variety of sizes and naturally, should

you wish to order a Reproduction Print in another format or individual

Greeting Cards from this suite of images, we welcome your contact through

ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.

 

In the meantime, enjoy perusing these wonderful images from Richard Doyle.

 

Every illustration tells a story

Above, we show a framed reproduction

of an illustration from Richard Doyle's

The Princess Nobody - A Tale

of Fairy Land.
 

 

The colour illustrations

 

Paste-downs to the Front and Rear Cover

 

The Fairy Queen Takes an Airy Drive

 

(Presented as a Diptych)

 

 

Title Page

 

Detail from "Fairy Child's Play"

Frontispiece

 

 Feasting and Fun

Among the Fuchsias

A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets

Code: RD PN C1|2 (12x18)
Price: US$120.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C3 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C4 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Teasing a Butterfly

Here are little Birds in plenty,

Singing to their Queen, Niente!

 

 

She had little wings on her back;

and all the birds were fond of her

The baby Princess riding a Parrot, while one

of her Maids of Honour teases an Owl

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C5 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C6 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C7 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C8 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

What a Baby: how absurd

To be bullied by a Bird!

 

 

Some Fairy Knight, too, came over the border,

and they fought with spears, riding Beetles and

Grasshoppers, instead of horses

They had got hold of one of his legs, and

were pulling at it with all their might

There he saw a crowned King,

sound asleep

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C9 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C10 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C11 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C12 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

The Elves went on with their play till midnight, and exactly at midnight

the Elves stopped their play, and undressed, and got up into the bough

of a big tree and went to sleep

 

(Presented as a Diptych)

 

 

So they all lay down under the

shelter of the Mushroom

The Prince stole two of the eggs, and would

not give them back till the Bird promised

to tell him all it knew

A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets

Code: RD PN C13|14 (12x18)
Price: US$120.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C15 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C16 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Here you see the Prince, with his hat off,

kissing the Queen's hair, and asking

for the Princess

 

 

 And there, with all her long yellow hair round her, there sat the Princess Niente. And the Prince Charming

laid his Crown at her feet, and knelt on one knee, and asked the Princess to be his love and his lady

 

(Presented as a Diptych)

 

 

Here's the Water Fairy's Court,

Nymphs and Nixies making sport!

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C17 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets

Code: RD PN C18|19 (12x18)
Price: US$120.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C20 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Now you may call me Niente, or any pet name

you like; but never call me by my own name

 

 

She lay awake and listened to the Birds singing,

and then she watched a Fairy-boy teasing a Bird,

which sang (so the boy said) out of tune

 

 

He sat down on a fallen Mushroom, and hid his

face in his hands, and, in a moment, all his beautiful

hair vanished, and his splendid clothes, and he was

Prince Comical once more

 

 

The Blue Bird harnessed himself to the chariot

of the Water Fairy, and the chariot was the

white cup of a Water Lily

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C21 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C22 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C23 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C24 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

At last he saw his own Princess, and he rushed up,

and knelt at her feet, and held out his hands to ask

pardon for having disobeyed the Fairy Law

 

 

She was still rather cross, and down she jumped,

and ran round the Mushroom, and he ran after her

He kissed her across the Mushroom, and he

knew he had won back his own dear Princess,

and they felt even happier than if they had

never been parted

 

 

The Prince and Princess at home, sitting on

a beautiful Rose, as a Fairy's God-child

can do if she pleases

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C25 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C26 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C27 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C28 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 
     

Here's luck to every child that stays

In Fairy Land among the Fays

 

 

 

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN C29 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

The End Papers

 

   

As they marched through Mushroom Land the twilight came upon them, and

the Elves began to come out for their dance, for Elves only dance at dusk, and

they could not help joining them, which was very imprudent, as they had plenty

to do the next day, and it would have been wise if they had gone to sleep

 

(Presented as a Diptych)

 

 

    

A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets

Code: RD PN EP1|2 (12x18)
Price: US$120.00

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

The captioned monotone illustrations

 

An Evening Ride

 

 

Here's the King, in mournful mood,

They'd amuse him, if they could!

 

 

But the children were as jolly as ever,

except one naughty baby, and even

he was petted, as you see!

 

 

Here you see a Fairy host,

Fit to fight with Dwarf or Ghost

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN M1 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN M2 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN M3 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN M4 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 
 
Here's a Dwarf upon a Snail

As they marched through Mushroom Land the twilight came upon them, and

the Elves began to come out for their dance, for Elves only dance at dusk, and

they could not help joining them, which was very imprudent, as they had plenty

to do the next day, and it would have been wise if they had gone to sleep

 

(Presented as a Diptych)

 

 

  

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN M5 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets

Code: RD PN M6|7 (12x18)
Price: US$100.00

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

The uncaptioned monotone illustrations

 

Half-Title Page Introductory Page Introductory Page

Great fun she and all her little companions

had with the Birds; here they are, riding on

them, and tumbling off when the Bird kicks

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM1 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM2 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM3 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM4 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Never was there such a happy country; all

Birds and Babies, playing together, singing,

and as merry as the day was long

It was night by the time the Dwarf

reached the stream where the Queen

lived, among the long flags and rushes

and reeds of the river

 

 

She flew away on the bird's back

Now all the Kingdom next to Fairy Land was

miserable, and all the people were murmuring

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM5 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM6 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM7 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM8 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

So she sent out messengers into

all the world

 

 

They saw a Great Snail race

The Snails were running so fast, that some of

the Fairy jockeys fell off on the grass

 

He was the soul of honour; and though

the others laughed at him, he would

not take advantage of his luck, and

run away from them

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM9 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM10 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM11 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM12 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Marginalia

Marginalia

We have no time to attend to them, as the sun

will be up soon, and we must get these

Babies dressed and be off before then

 

 

Marginalia

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM13 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM14 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM15 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM16 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Marginalia

 

 

Marginalia

 

 

Marginalia

 

 

Marginalia

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM17 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM18 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM19 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM20 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 
   

Then they all made a procession

The Black Beetle marching at the head

 

 

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM21 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: RD PN MM22 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00