The Complete Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer (1912) Illustrated by Warwick Goble

This 1912 edition of The Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, published by Macmillan and Co., is a distinguished volume that brings the Middle English poet’s timeless verses to life through the refined artistry of Warwick Goble. Renowned for his delicate watercolor style, Goble contributed 18 finely rendered plates that complement Chaucer’s tales with medieval charm and subtle romanticism. The book compiles Chaucer’s major works, including The Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde, and shorter poems, all presented in a handsome format that reflects the Edwardian era’s reverence for classical literature and fine bookmaking.

About the Illustrator:
Warwick Goble (1862–1943) was a British illustrator known for his luminous watercolors and his work during the Golden Age of Illustration. Educated at the Westminster School of Art, Goble illustrated many beloved works of fairy tales, legends, and poetry, often drawing on Japanese, Indian, and medieval European themes. His subtle use of color and atmospheric detail made his work particularly well-suited to the romantic and fantastical.

Recommended for Collectors:

1. The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser, illustrated by Walter Crane – A richly illustrated epic poem blending myth, allegory, and Elizabethan verse, ideal for lovers of classical poetry and ornate design.
2. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, illustrated by W. Russell Flint – Another visual interpretation of Chaucer’s masterpiece, featuring elegant, evocative plates in a style distinct from Goble’s.
3. Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, illustrated by Gustave Doré or E.J. Sullivan – A grand poetic cycle with legendary and medieval themes, often presented in collectible editions with fine illustration.
4. • The Kelmscott Chaucer by William Morris, illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones – Arguably the most visually stunning designed and illustrated book

For a list of illustrations by Warwick Goble available on our site. Please visit our Warwick Goble Illustrated Books Art Gallery.

Art Gallery: Warwick Goble – The Modern Reader’s Chaucer 1912