Modern British Gallery offers a large selection of affordable oils, watercolours and limited edition prints by major British artists.

ARIEL POEMS

In 1925, TS Eliot became the poetry editor at the London publishing firm of Faber & Gwyer. In 1927, Eliot was asked by his employer, Geoffrey Faber, to write one poem each year for a series of illustrated pamphlets to be sent to the firms clients and business acquaintances as Christmas greetings. This idea developed into The Ariel Poem series of 38 publications. Many poets were involved and many key artists were commissioned to provide high quality lithographs and wood engravings to illustrate the pamphlet publications. The illustrated work must be original, dedicated to that specific publication and illustrate the theme of the poem. It was Eliot’s idea, humbly, that the booklet should be in a soft bound format, such that the illustration could be framed and displayed without dismantling the publication. The first edition of 38 was published between 1927 and 1931, the second series in 1954 (which contained only 8 titles). The strength of the images by artists who would become hugely significant has resulted in these humble publications becoming hugely collectible. Due to the inherent quality of the illustrations, and the printing processes involved, the size of the editions are relatively small, and some are much scarcer than others.

Artworks:

David Jones ‘Gum Trees’ £50

Publication date 1930. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Condition: Booklet time stained. Spine repaired. Image good. Mounted.

Althea Willoughby ‘The Outcast’ £25

Publication date 1929. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine

Celia Fiennes ‘Grave of Arthur’ £30

Publication date 1930. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – very slight time staining.

Barnett Freedman ‘Wonder Night’ £30

Publication date 1927. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine

Albert Rutherston ‘Inscription’ £25

Publication date 1929. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Cover

Graham Sutherland ‘Invitation’ £150

Publication date 1931. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine

Stephan Tennant ‘In Sicily’ £25

Publication date 1930. Booklet intact. Lithograph measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet good. Spine repaired. Image good with very light pressure

Stephen Tennant ‘Red Rose’ £25

Publication date 1931. Booklet intact. Lithograph measures 19cm x 12cm. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine repaired. Image good – light ghosting right edge

Eric Ravilious ‘Elm Angel’ £125

Publication date 1930. Booklet intact. Wood engraving measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight staining. Spine repaired. Image good –

Diana Murphy ‘Ubi Ecclesia’ £25

Publication date 1929. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine

Charles Ricketts ‘Troy’ £25

Publication date 1928. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet good. Spine repaired. Image good.

Gilbert Spencer ‘Three Things’ £35

Publication date 1929. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine

Edward Bawden ‘Popular Song’ £35

Publication date 1928. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine

Hilaire Belloc ‘Nona’ £25

Publication date 1928. Booklet intact. Lithograph (line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Light occasional foxing

E McKnight Kauffer ‘Magi’ £225

Publication date 1927. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining and marks to front

Althea Willoughby ‘Triumph’ £25

Publication date 1930. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine

Paul Nash ‘Nativity’ £50

Publication date 1927. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine

Eric Gill ‘Gloria in Profundis’ £50

Publication date 1927. Booklet intact. Wood engraving measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine split and repaired.

Ralph Keene ‘Linnet’s Nest’ £25

Publication date 1927. Booklet intact. Lithograph (pochoir and line block) measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine

Blair Hughes-Stanton ‘Alone’ £25

Publication date 1930. Booklet intact. Wood engraving measures 19cm x 12cm. Additional image front cover. Condition: Booklet – slight time staining. Spine repaired. Image good.

Edward Ardizzone ‘Christmas Eve’ £35

Publication date 1954. Booklet intact. Lithograph measures 21cm x 14cm. Two additional lithographs inside covers. Condition: Booklet has some time staining. Image good. Mounted.