Warwick Goble Collection at Spirit of the Ages

As you make your way through this page, you will have the opportunity to consider the more than 100 antique and

vintage images from Warwick Goble's contributions to The Water-Babies: A fairy tale for a Land-Baby, Green Willow and

other Japanese Fairy Tales, The Complete Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer and The Book of Fairy Poetry.

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

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

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

Warwick Goble (1862-1943) took training in London and focused on watercolours as a medium - being first employed

Among his first published illustrations were those accompanying The Book of Baal and War of the Worlds. Other

commissions followed in the early 1900s including The Water-babies, Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales,

The Complete Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer and The Book of Fairy Poetry.

Charles Kingsley's classic tale was first published in serialised version in Macmillan's Magazine in 1862. It tells the adventures of a Victorian-era

chimney-sweep, Tom, who is transformed into a water-baby. Throughout the story that follows, Tom meets an array of creatures who all play

a part in the moral re-education of the boy before his return to his former life.

The version illustrated by Goble captures Kingsley's fantasy for an underwater world and landscape that serves as an environment for his

The thing whirred up into the air, and hung

poised on its wins, ... a dragon fly,

... the king of all flies

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 1

She walked beside Tom, and talked to him

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 2

In rushed a stout old nurse from the next room

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 3

By the smoky town in its murky cowl

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 4

Play by me, bathe in me, mother and child

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 5

A quiet, silent, rich, happy place

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 6

She was the Queen of them all

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 7

"C'est l'amour, l'amour, l'amour

qui fait le mond à la ronde"

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 8

When all the world is young

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 9

When all the world is old

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 10

From which great trout rushed out on Tom

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 11

He watched the moonlight on the rippling river

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 12

Past the great town, with it wharfs, and mills,

and tall smoking chimneys

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 13

We float out our life in the mid-oceans, with the

warm sunshine above our heads

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 14

And sit upon a point of rock, among the shining sea-weeds

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 15

Tom had never seen a lobster before

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 16

The fairies came flying in at the window and brought

her such a pretty pair of wings

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 17

A real live water-baby, sitting on the white sand

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 18

Tom found that the isle stood all on

pillars, and that its roots were full of caves

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 19

And frightened the crabs, to make

them hide in the sand

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 20

He crept away among the rocks, and got to

the cabinet, and behold! it was open

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 21

"I always forgive every one the moment they

tell me the truth of their own accord"

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 22

The ladies all gathered gossamer in autumn

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 23

Underneath the trees lions were prowling about

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 24

There he saw the last of the Gairfowl, standing

up on the Allalonestone, all alone

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 25

The most beautiful bird of paradise

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 26

He saw the fairies come up from below, and carry

baby and cradle gently down in their soft arms

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 27

All round it the ice cliffs rose, in walls

and spires and battlements

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 28

"That's Mother Carey"

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 29

Pandora and her box

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 30

At last he came to the great sea-serpent himself,

lying dead at the bottom

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 31

Found himself tight in the legs of the most

wonderful body which he had ever seen

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG WB 32

Green Willow and other Japanese Fairy Tales (1910)

A rare copy of Green Willow and other Japanese Fairy Tales - illustrated by Goble and published by MacMillan and Co. (London) in 1910.

This copy shows the original decoratively gilt-stamped blue cloth cover.

The tales included in Green Willow and other Japanese Fairy Tales were gathered from many sources. The Note appearing as the effective Foreward

to the title outlines the preparation of the collection:

Some of them have been selected from the Ko-ji-ki, or Record of Ancient Matters, which contains the mythology of Japan.

Many are told from memory, being relics of childish days, originally heard from the lips of a school-fellow or a nurse. Certain

of them, again, form favourite subjects for representation upon the Japanese stage. A number of the stories now gathered

together have been translated into English long ere this, and have appeared in this country in one form or another; others are

probably new to an English public.

Thanks are due to Marcus B Huish, Esq., who has allowed his story, "The Espousal of the Rat's Daughter," to be included in this

collection; and to Mrs T H James for permission to use her version of "The Matsuyama Mirror".

Goble's illustrations for Green Willow and other Japanese Fairy Tales translate Meiji-era influences wonderfully, blending them with his own post-Victorian

watercolour style.

40 colour images with accompanying descriptive text

The Moon Maiden

The Moon Maiden

(Frontispiece)

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 1

Green Willow

Green Willow

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 2

The Flute

The Flute

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 3

The Tea Kettle

The Tea Kettle

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 4

The Peony Lantern

The Peony Lantern

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 5

The Sea King and the Magic Jewels

The Sea King and the Magic Jewels (I)

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 6

The Sea King and the Magic Jewels

The Sea King and the Magic Jewels (II)

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 7

The Good Thunder

The Good Thunder

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 8

The Black Bowl

The Black Bowl

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 9

The Star Lovers

The Star Lovers

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 10

Horaizan

Horaizan

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 11

Reflections

Reflections

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 12

The Story of Susa, the Impetuous

The Story of Susa, the Impetuous (I)

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 13

The Story of Susa, the Impetuous

The Story of Susa, the Impetuous (II)

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 14

The Wind in the Pine Tree

The Wind in the Pine Tree

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 15

Flower of the Peony

Flower of the Peony

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 16

The Mallet

The Mallet

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 17

The Bell of Dõjõji

The Bell of Dõjõji

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 18

The Maiden of Unai

The Maiden of Unai

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 19

The Robe of Feathers

The Robe of Feathers

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 20

The Singing Bird of Heaven

The Singing Bird of Heaven

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 21

The Cold Lady

The Cold Lady

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 22

The Fire Quest

The Fire Quest

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 23

A Legend of Kwannon

A Legend of Kwannon

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 24

The Espousal of the Rat's Daughter

The Espousal of the Rat's Daughter

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 25

The Land of Yomi

The Land of Yomi

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 26

The Spring Lover and the Autumn Lover

The Spring Lover and the Autumn Lover

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 27

The Strange Story of the Golden Comb

The Strange Story of the Golden Comb

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 28

The Jelly-Fish takes a Journey

The Jelly-Fish takes a Journey

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 29

Urashima

Urashima

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 30

Tamamo, the Fox Maiden

Tamamo, the Fox Maiden

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 31

Momotaro

Momotaro

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 32

The Matsuyama Mirror

The Matsuyama Mirror

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 33

Broken Images

Broken Images

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 34

The Tongue-cut Sparrow

The Tongue-cut Sparrow

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 35

The Nurse

The Nurse

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 36

The Beautiful Dancer of Yedo

The Beautiful Dancer of Yedo

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 37

Hana-Saka-Jiji

Hana-Saka-Jiji

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 38

Karma

Karma

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 39

The Sad Story of Yaoya's Daughter

The Sad Story of Yaoya's Daughter

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GW 40

The Complete Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer (1912)

A rare copy of The Complete Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer - illustrated by Goble and published by The MacMillan Company (New York) in 1912.

This copy shows the original decoratively gilt-stamped blue cloth cover.

It is noteworthy that the 1st Edition of this book was published in the United States only.

This version of Chaucer's classic tales was edited by John Tatlock and Percy MacKaye. In the Preface, Tatlock and MacKay write of the

purpose behind this edition:

Chaucer's entire poetic works have never before been put into modern English. Parts of them, especially

of the Canterbury Tales, have been retold in one place or another in both prose and verse, some of the

latter by pens so great as Wordsworth's, Pope's and Dryden's; but hitherto a more nearly adequate idea

of a marvelously individual and many-sided poet could be obtained only through his original text. That

such is the best way to obtain it the present editors would be the first to urge. But most readers need not

be told that it can be so acquired only by dint of somewhat thorough study; even more thorough than

the casual reader can realize, for yet more baffling than frankly obsolete words are the countless word

and idioms which have subtly changed their meaning. And undoubtedly such study at first may form a

mist between the reader and a sympathetic comprehension of the poet. The melody of his verse, too,

which the modernizer is so grieved to disturb, can be heard only by the practised ear. It is believed,

therefore, that the present volume will be welcome to a good number of cultivated people everywhere.

The author of the work, Geoffrey Chaucer, was born in London about 1340, the son of wine merchant associated with the Royal Court.

For Chaucer, that connection with the Court continued throughout his life in one way or another. At one point, he was a squire to the

King and through the 1370s, he was involved in seven embassies to the Continent. Two of those embassies were to Italy where Chaucer

was exposed to Italianate literary influences. For an individual with no university education, Chaucer achieved fantastic literary success

and upon his death, he was the first writer buried in the south transept of Westminster Abbey - a location that is now known as Poet's

Corner.

Goble's illustrations for The Complete Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer - like the literary work of Chaucer - are full of life and colour.

They are a marvelous complement to the 14th Century poetry.

32 colour images and 2 monotone illustrations

End Papers

Monotone illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG GC 1

End Papers

Monotone illustration

Provenance: An American Collector

Code: WG GC 2

The Canterbury Tales

The Knight's Tale

Theseus returning in Triumph

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 3

The Canterbury Tales

The Knight's Tale

Emily in the Garden

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 4

The Canterbury Tales

The Knight's Tale

The Meeting in the Wood

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 5

The Canterbury Tales

The Miller's Tale

Alison

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 6

The Canterbury Tales

The Man of Law's Tale

"In the name of Christ," cried this blind

Briton, "Give me back my sight"

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 7

The Canterbury Tales

The Man of Law's Tale

Constance and her Child leaving Northumberland

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 8

The Canterbury Tales

Prologue to Melibeus

"An Elf Queen will I verily love"

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 9

The Canterbury Tales

The Monk's Tale

Zenobia

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 10

The Canterbury Tales

The Words of the Host

Virginius and Virginia

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 11

The Canterbury Tales

The Pardoner's Tale

The three Revellers and the Gold

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 12

The Canterbury Tales

The Wife of Bath's Tale

The Knight and the Old Woman

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 13

The Canterbury Tales

The Wife of Bath's Tale

The Knight and the Old Woman at the Court

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 14

The Canterbury Tales

The Clerk's Tale

Griselda and the Duke

(Detail)

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 15

The Canterbury Tales

The Clerk's Tale

Griselda robed in Cloth of Gold

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 16

The Canterbury Tales

The Merchant's Tale

January helping May into the Tree

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 17

The Canterbury Tales

The Squire's Tale

Canacee and the Falcon

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 18

The Canterbury Tales

The Franklin's Tale

Dorigen pledging Aurelius

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 19

The Canterbury Tales

The Second Nun's Tale

The Angel presenting the Crowns to

Cecily and Valerian

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 20

The Minor Poems

The Book of the Duchess

"Flora and Zephyr had fixed their Dwelling there"

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 21

The Minor Poems

The Book of the Duchess

"The fairest company of Ladies that

ever man had seen"

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 22

The Minor Poems

The Parliament of Birds

The Parliament of Birds

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 23

The Minor Poems

Merciless Beauty: A Triple Roundel

To Merciless Beauty

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 24

The Minor Poems

To Rosamond

"Do as you list, I will be ever known your thrall"

Provenance: An English Collector

Code: WG GC 25