I gave myself a little gift today. As I spend so much time in graveyards, I couldn't say no to spending 60 pence (a dollar?) on this little 1903 volume of Gray’s “Elegy in a Country Churchyard” and “Ode on a Distant prospect of Eton College”.
I would hardly have taken any notice of the book if I had not known the poem inside...its frankly battered and dreary cover would not attract much attention. But look inside with me....you can see why I am glad that I did pick it up – filled as it is with some very charming wood or lino cut (?) vignette illustrations by J.T.Friedenson.
I’m including them all here, though I don't know why Typepad is cutting off the right hand side of all the images today - click on them to get "the full picture", and right-click on the bigger image if you want to download it. If anyone wants even higher resolution images, mail me). I think they would make lovely bookmarks and/or bookplates, don’t you? Have fun with them.
The other images follow....and here is a link to the whole “Graveyard” poem – and some interesting information about Stoke Poges, where the author lies buried.
"Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke"
"Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife..."
"Approach and read (for thou canst read) the lay..."
"The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea..."
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