Yesterday two of my passions merged
Posted on 18 June 2007
Collecting books is a favorite hobby of mine. I love variety on my bookshelves and my vintage paperbacks are often neighbors to antiquarian tomes. While I actively seek books out at estate sales, garage sales, flea markets, and second hand bookstores, I sometimes think that it is the books themselves who seem to find me. I know I can not be the only book lover who feels this way. (You’re one too, aren’t you?)
Recently, I purchased an old volume of Tennyson at an estate sale. I curled up with it yesterday afternoon (after neglecting it in a most shameful manner for several months). I reached page 29 and my heart stopped. Or perhaps I should say my heart pounded. For I was looking at the face of Elizabeth Siddal. I knew it was her, I would recognize her features anywhere. Not only that, but I knew that it had to be an illustration drawn by Rossetti. I flipped through the book, searching for confirmation. No luck. The title page only stated “with numerous illustrations”, but offered no credits or information regarding artists or illustrators.
So I turned to my trusty friend Google, searching under the terms “Rossetti illustration Tennyson” . The first item on the list answered my question: From VictorianWeb.org (as all things wonderful and informative are)
Rossetti’s Interpretations: The Illustrations for Tennyson’s “The Palace of Art”
Here are images from my Tennyson book:
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2 Responses to “Yesterday two of my passions merged”
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And isn’t it interesting that Siddal is the only one with her head held high?
Oh wow that book is so beautiful! You’re so lucky to have stumbled upon it! I never knew Rossetti illustrated anything related to Tennyson and I’m so thrilled to have found this website. My fascination for Lizzie was brought to a head after I read her bio by Lucinda Hawksley. Thanks for posting this, it’s amazing!