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Today began with leaden skies and raindrops on windows.
Even owls, dripped on from branches above, peered enviously inside.
Late this afternoon, when the rain had desisted somewhat, we took a car load of rubbish, that we had ourselves recycled once or twice already, to Efford Recycling Centre; and returned with two mirrors for the garden, a bar stool, and a Chinese rug.
Back in the early 1970s, I discovered the English book illustrator Frank C. Papé, and, through him, the American writer, James Branch Cabell, in the illustrated editions produced by The Bodley Head in the early 20th century. I have already featured ‘The Cream of the Jest’, and today, as I finished reading ‘Domnei: a Comedy of Woman-Worship’, offer more information on the collaborators.
On the author, Wikipedia tells us:
‘James Branch Cabell (/ˈkæbəl/; April 14, 1879 – May 5, 1958) was an American author of fantasy fiction and belles lettres. Cabell was well regarded by his contemporaries, including H. L. Mencken, Edmund Wilson, and Sinclair Lewis. His works were considered escapist and fit well in the culture of the 1920s, when they were most popular. For Cabell, veracity was “the one unpardonable sin, not merely against art, but against human welfare.”[1][2]
Although escapist, Cabell’s works are ironic and satirical. H. L. Mencken disputed Cabell’s claim to romanticism and characterized him as “really the most acidulous of all the anti-romantics. His gaudy heroes … chase dragons precisely as stockbrockers play golf.” Cabell saw art as an escape from life, but once the artist creates his ideal world, he finds that it is made up of the same elements that make the real one.’
There is much more information on his life and works on this link [1]’
Maybe I’m too gullible, but I found this work an enthralling fantasy of an imagined love story from the age of chivalry. There are a number of cynical characters, and we are invited to believe it is based on fragments of a Medieval manuscript. Obviously the source is spurious, and it is perhaps significant that the only uncut pages are the last two of the alleged bibliography. Nevertheless the romantic in me was enjoyably engaged with this readable story, details of which I will not reveal. The language is of the writer’s time, yet following the form of a 14th century geste. The descriptions of the natural world are beautifully done.
The artist is perfectly in tune with the writer, Clicking on the numbered highlight in the following paragraph will take you to the fuller Wikipedia page about him.
‘Frank Cheyne Papé, who generally signed himself Frank C. Papé (b. Camberwell, July 4, 1878 – d. Bedford, May 5, 1972) was an English artist and book illustrator. He studied at The Slade School of Fine Art, completing his studies circa 1902-04.[1] Papé was married to a fellow Slade student, illustrator Alice Stringer.’
Papé’s distinctive style ensured his popularity in the golden age of book illustration. He has a mastery of line and form.
Domnei, first published in 1913, underwent several revisions before the first illustrated edition of 1930, of which my copy is one.
Of the ten plates protected by tissue sheets, we begin with the frontispiece;
thereafter I have chosen samples of chiaroscuro elegance;
of drollery;
and of excellent composition, with an ability to indicate the effect of passing time on a still beautiful woman. We can well believe this is the lady in the second picture above.
Each of the thirty short chapters is introduced
by a framed picture illustrating its first page.
These are minutely faithful to the text.
I cannot elaborate on this without giving too much away.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s supreme lamb jalfrezi, savoury rice, and vegetable samosas. I finished the malbec.
Rainy days are always great for reading, and you appear to have come across a good one. I’m interested, thanks Derrick.
Many thanks, GP
You have seduced me Derrick – I want to read this book and admire those illustrations – the style of drawing gives such weight and texture to the fabrics I am entranced by them! Is this one of your older long kept tomes? I’m beginning to think I could spend as long in your garage library as I could in Jackie’s garden!!
It is, Pauline. 40 years plus. Thanks very much
Oh well, I guess it’s no use having a stroll round the local bookstore then 😀
There are quite a few copies on Google pages
Those drawings are so dramatic. They really enhance the book, don’t they.
They do, indeed, Gwen. Thanks very much
Was this a gift given to you Derrick?
No, Jill. I bought it from a second-hand dealer. Thanks a lot.
An author to look up. Fabulous illustrations!
Many thanks, Laurie. I think you would like him
Very interesting and gorgeous pictures!
Thank you very much, Lynn
Why is it in all these type of pictures everyone looks so damned tragic, nobody ever smiles or laughs. They’re miserable things really.
I’m still waiting, but no longer holding my breath, for you to say something along the lines …
‘This evening we dined on Jackies fried sardines on pancakes, washed down with a fourpenny dark from Wagga Wagga, and it was a bloody disaster.’
So you are just like the illustrations really – waiting for a bloody disaster, innit?
Yes 👿
I love the old line drawings. While I recognize Cabell as a countryman, I have not read him. Sounds like a tale to look up for a winter’s night.
Thanks, Lisa. Widely available on the internet
Thank you for introducing me to the enchanted world of Messrs. Cabel, and Papé. Your preoccupation on a rainy day reflects richly on your disposition too!
Very many thanks, Uma
What entrancing pictures …. I can’t year my eyes from the first …. exquisite, romantic and captivating. Your commentaries are tantalising – these are certainly a writer and an artist I would like to discover 🙂
Many thanks, Osyth. I have a few more
They remind me of books I used to sit and look at as a little girl at my Granny’s house. I must check mother’s library when I’m next in England because I know father had many of his mother’s books. By the way – I did like your take on the story …. being something of a romantic soul myself 🙂
It was a very wet morning here too. Your dripping owl does look very unhappy! The book illustrations are extremely beautiful.
Thanks very much, Clare
No better way to spend a rainy day then immersed in a good book. Looks interesting!
Man thanks, Karen
Love your choice of literary entertainment Derrick, I too love reading works in the styles of the old writers, their words are so descriptive and their imagery comes alive for the times.
I am currently reading an old book I came across written in 1840, describing the lives and Times of the Moss Hags of Scotland during the reign of Charles, reading does become an adventure mate.
Cheers.
Thanks a lot, mate Ian. What a treasure of a book
So glad you alerted us to this! Such elegant illustrations, and full of romance, as mentioned.
Thanks very much, Cynthia
These are beautiful illustrations!
Glad you think so, Lavinia. Thanks a lot
Astonishing illustrations – very much of their time. Loved ’em!
Many thanks, Mike.
I love these illustrations. Fascinating!
Me, too, Amy. Many thanks
Beautiful illustrations. Though we are fantasy readers, we haven’t read anything by Cabell. We shall be look him up.
ThanksLL/PS You will like him
With books of that age I’m afraid I often prefer the illustrations to the story. These illustrations, I suspect, would continue the pattern. 🙂
Yes. I tend to have bought them for the illustrations and taken years to actually read them. Thanks a lot, Quercus
They are excellent illustrations, so they are hard to live up to. 🙂
They and those of people like Rackham convinced me I would never match the best illustrators.
From what I’ve seen of your work you could have made a living from art – the quality is there though the style may be different.
Thanks very much, Quercus. I didn’t have the confidence early on, and my family needed my income rather than send me to art school
I think many promising careers have failed due to factors other than talent.
Thanks again
Well, this week, I bought the Bodley Head versions of:
Something about Eve
Jurgen
The Cream of the Jest
Figures of Earth
Dominei
The Silver Stallion
Fantastic bits of craft and illustration, and all in pretty good nick. A bargain at £30.
That’s the long winter evenings sorted.
Well done. An incredible bargain. Thanks very much
Dear Derrick, I’ve just discovered Frank C Papé via a Bodley Head copy of Thaïs, found in a Harrogate church book sale for £1. Enthralled by his art, if not the prose of the worthy France, I’m now on something of a mission to try and track down all the Anatole France and James Branch Cabell works that he illustrated.
However not only are prices quite random (£6 – £220 for the same book!) it’s surprisingly difficult to find a definite list. I’ve been messaging people with poorly described listings on eBay to ask, ‘is this illustrated, if so by whom?’ Your blog is the most detailed coverage I can find and you appear to be in the enviable position of having the complete works of Papé to hand.
Would you be able to post a definitive list of the novels he illustrated?
Thank you for reading and for asking, Robert. The additional ones I have are The Gods Are Athirst; At The Sign of The Reine Pédauque; Penguin Island (posted as A History of the World); The Well of St Clare; and The Revolt of the Angels – but I guess you have seen these posts.
I also have (and posted) The Cream of the Jest; Domnei; Figures of Earth (posted in Magic and Witchcraft); Jurgen; The Silver Stallion (posted in Soul-Contenting Pictures); and Something About Eve – all by James Branch Cabell illustrated by Papé