The Bells and Other Poems (1912) By Edgar Allan Poe Illustrated by Edmund Dulac

The Bells and Other Poems is a luxurious 1912 edition of Edgar Allan Poe’s most celebrated verse, exquisitely illustrated by the renowned artist Edmund Dulac and published by Hodder & Stoughton in London. This edition is widely regarded as one of the finest artistic interpretations of Poe’s work, blending the rhythmic melancholy and gothic grandeur of his poetry with Dulac’s dreamlike visual style.

The volume features 28 mounted color plates, each facing a poem or section, with pieces such as “The Raven,” “Annabel Lee,” “The Haunted Palace,” and “The Conqueror Worm” richly enhanced by Dulac’s imaginative artistry. His illustrations masterfully capture the emotional intensity and eerie beauty of Poe’s language. Whether depicting the spectral gloom of “The Raven” or the tragic romance of “Annabel Lee,” Dulac uses flowing lines, shadowy backgrounds, and subdued color palettes to echo the otherworldly and haunting qualities of Poe’s verse.

The book’s production is of exceptionally high quality, with gilt-decorated boards, thick paper, and tissue-guarded plates—typical of deluxe illustrated editions from the Golden Age of Illustration. It remains a sought-after treasure for collectors of literary and artistic works alike.

About the Illustrator:
Edmund Dulac (1882–1953) was a French-born British illustrator who rose to prominence during the early 20th century as one of the leading figures of the Golden Age of Illustration. He began his career illustrating for The Graphic and soon gained a reputation for his work with publishers like Hodder & Stoughton, especially in luxurious editions of fairy tales, classic literature, and poetry. Dulac’s style blended elements of Art Nouveau, Japanese woodblock prints, Persian miniatures, and Romanticism. His compositions often feature delicate figures, intricate patterns, and a muted, harmonious color palette. Known for his ability to create ethereal and emotionally resonant images, Dulac brought a unique visual poetry to everything he illustrated, making him an ideal interpreter of Poe’s dark, lyrical themes.

For collectors:
• The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, illustrated by Gustave Doré (1884) – The most famous 19th-century Poe illustrations
• Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Poe, illustrated by Harry Clarke (1919) – A darker Art Deco interpretation
• The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam illustrated by Dulac (1909) – Showcases his Persian-inspired styleNew chat

Other books illustrated by Edmund Dulac available in our gallery: Stories from the Arabian Nights,  Lyrics, Pathetic and Humourous from A to Z, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, The Sleeping Beauty, Stories from Hans Andersen, Princess Badoura, Sindbad the Sailor and other stories, The Kingdom of the Pearl.

• Complete list of books illustrated by Edmund Dulac.
• Our Edmund Dulac Art Gallery

Art Gallery: Edmund Dulac – The Bells and other Poems 1912