The Golden Treasury of Songs and Lyrics (1911), illustrated by Maxfield Parrish, is a dazzling fusion of poetry and art, pairing beloved English lyrical verse with Parrish’s luminous, dreamlike paintings. This anthology, edited by Francis Turner Palgrave, compiles works by Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Keats, and other literary giants, while Parrish’s illustrations—bathed in his signature ethereal blues and golds—transform the book into a visual feast. His romantic, Pre-Raphaelite-inspired scenes (think idyllic landscapes, mythical figures, and glowing twilight skies) elevate the text into a transcendent experience, blurring the line between book and art object.
Published by Charles Scribner’s Sons, this edition reflects the early 20th century’s fascination with opulent gift books. Parrish’s use of layered glazes and dramatic light creates a jewel-like quality, making each page feel like a stained-glass window. Though later editions omitted his art, this 1911 version remains a pinnacle of American Illustration’s Golden Age.
For Fans of This Edition, Explore:
- A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales (1910) – Hawthorne’s myths with Parrish’s art.
- The Poems of Childhood (1904) – Another Parrish-illustrated gem.
- The Water-Babies by Charles Kingsley (illus. Charles Robinson) – A similar blend of classic text and lavish Art Nouveau illustration.
A must for poetry lovers and Parrish devotees alike.
