The Well Of St Clare

28th February 2019.

This morning I finished reading the next of my works of Anatole France illustrated by Frank C, Pape. This Bodley Head edition was published in 1928.

The book was translated by Alfred Allinson, who has clearly reproduced the author’s beautifully, simply, flowing poetic prose. The title tale is one of a selection of short stories, mostly set in Mediaeval times, being satirical commentary on the religion of that period; with a lacing of philosophy..

The intact jacket reproduces the gold embossed design on the front board.

The endpapers don’t quite fit my scanner.

As usual there are a dozen full page plates,

and a number of chapter end pieces, of which I present a brief selection.

Feeling pretty rough, I went to bed early and forgot to publish this until the morning.

51 comments

      1. Hoping the sun shines in your world today – it always helps to make me feel better. Sunshine, fresh air and a glass of red wine – it’s the simple things. 🙂

  1. The old bookplates are amazing in detail, are they not?
    When there is something I can not get on the scanner, I take a photo of it and put that in the computer.

  2. It’s interesting how the full page illustrations seem to have an assortment of styles in each one. I hope the antibiotics will soon clear the dreaded lurgy. You have been out and about, so I’m taking that as a sign that your latest knee is continuing to recover well.

  3. Unfortunately, I don’t know French, so I had read Anatole France in Russian translation, and now, thanks to you, Derrick, I was able to compare it with the English one. Both are excellent! I have not seen the illustrations before, though, and they are marvelous – thank you!

  4. What a wonderful read AND the illustrations are beautiful and fascinating! I love the details in the artwork!
    I’m so sorry to hear you are ill, Derrick. 🙁 I hope and pray you will be well soon. Is it a flu’ bug or sinus/respiratory?
    (((HUGS)))

          1. Whenever I think of Jesuits I alway think of my old history teacher who always added “The Stormtroopers of the Catholic Church” every time he mentioned them. I don’t think he would prosper in the world of today. 🙂

  5. I do so hope you are feeling a little better today, Derrick. You have enough to bear at the moment without poor health. May God be with you and yours.
    The illustrations are exquisite! Thank you very much for sharing them.

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