Classics

The deluxe 2015 limited edition of ‘The Golden Ass’ (published by the Folio Society) tells the tale of a young man’s experiences of witchcraft, when he inadvertently transforms into the Ass of the title. This illustration comes from the beginning of the story, when the witch Pamphile demonstrates that she can turn herself into an owl.

The deluxe 2015 limited edition of ‘The Golden Ass’ (published by the Folio Society) tells the tale of a young man’s experiences of witchcraft, when he inadvertently transforms into the Ass of the title. Quentin produced full-page and inset illustrations (as here) for the book, both in colour and in halftone.

The deluxe 2015 limited edition of ‘The Golden Ass’ (published by the Folio Society) tells the tale of a young man’s experiences of witchcraft, when he inadvertently transforms into the Ass of the title. Here, the Egyptian Goddess Isis emerges from the sea to restore Lucius to human form after his adventures.

The deluxe limited edition from 2013 (published by The Folio Society) comprised fifty tales - each with a moral - by the seventeenth century French poet and fabulist Jean de la Fontaine. Quentin selected the fifty poems in the collection, and produced at least one accompanying illustration for each of them.

The deluxe limited edition from 2013 (published by The Folio Society) comprised fifty tales - each with a moral - by the seventeenth century French poet and fabulist Jean de la Fontaine. Quentin selected the fifty poems in the collection, and produced at least one accompanying illustration for each of them.

The deluxe limited edition from 2013 (published by The Folio Society) comprised fifty tales - each with a moral - by the seventeenth century French poet and fabulist Jean de la Fontaine. Quentin selected the fifty poems in the collection, and produced at least one accompanying illustration for each of them.

A deluxe limited edition (published by The Folio Society in 2011) of the satirical French classic by eighteenth century humorist Voltaire. Quentin produced a mixture of full-colour plates and inset line drawings to chart Candide’s disastrous but ever-optimistic career.

Several original works from the book feature in the touring exhibition ‘Quentin Blake: Inside Stories’, touring the UK until 2017.

A deluxe limited edition (published by The Folio Society in 2011) of the satirical French classic by eighteenth century humorist Voltaire. Quentin produced a mixture of full-colour plates and inset line drawings to chart Candide’s disastrous but ever-optimistic career.

Several original works from the book feature in the touring exhibition ‘Quentin Blake: Inside Stories’, touring the UK until 2017.

A deluxe limited edition (published by The Folio Society in 2011) of the satirical French classic by eighteenth century humorist Voltaire. Quentin produced a mixture of full-colour plates and inset line drawings to chart Candide’s disastrous but ever-optimistic career.

Several original works from the book feature in the touring exhibition ‘Quentin Blake: Inside Stories’, touring the UK until 2017.

Quentin illustrated the Folio Society edition (1998) in blue halftone throughout, except for the striking silhouette of Quasimodo against Notre Dame cathedral which appeared on the front cover.

Quentin illustrated the Folio Society edition (1998) in blue halftone throughout, except for the striking silhouette of Quasimodo against Notre Dame cathedral which appeared on the front cover.

Full-page illustration of the inimitable duo from Cervantes’ classic story. Quentin Blake produced sepia-toned illustrations for this Folio Society edition, published in 1995 (re-issued 2005).

Full-page illustration of the inimitable duo from Cervantes’ classic story. Quentin Blake produced sepia-toned illustrations for this Folio Society edition, published in 1995 (re-issued 2005).

Inset illustration, from Cyrano's 'Voyage to the Moon'. Published in The Folio Society edition (1991).

Full-page illustration showing Cyrano learning to perform tricks, in his 'Voyage to the Moon'. Used in The Folio Society edition (1991).

The Folio Society edition (1984) used Quentin Blake's line drawings produced using ink and chinagraph pencil. The book was re-issued in early 2013.

The Folio Society edition (1984) used Quentin Blake's illustrations which were produced using ink and chinagraph pencil. The book was re-issued in early 2013.

The Starkadder family gathered around the hearth, prepared for the Folio Society edition of 1977. This is an ‘alternative’ drawing, of which there are many examples in Quentin’s archive: alternatives are similar (many are almost identical) to the finished illustrations, except for some tiny detail.

Ebenezer Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Present, surrounded by festive food and gifts. Quentin Blake illustrated the 1995 edition published by Pavilion books, re-issued in 2008. -

Ebenezer Scrooge in his counting house, in Charles Dickens' classic Christmas tale. First published with Quentin Blake's illustrations in 1995 by Pavilion Books, it was re-issued in 2008.

Full-page illustration showing the fairy (in a seventeenth-century gown) meeting the sullen girl at a well on a hot day. The traditional fairy tale, told in this French anthology of stories by Charles Perrault, recounts how the girl's sister had already met the mysterious fairy and been granted the gift of roses and diamonds to fall from her mouth. This was the only story in the anthology (published by Albin Michel Jeunesse, France, in 1996) to be illustrated by Quentin Blake.

A girl gets her just reward - toads and snakes falling from her mouth - for being rude to the Fairy at the well in Charles Perrault's fairy tale. Quentin Blake's illustrations for the story were published in a French anthology in 1996 by Albin Michel Jeunesse.

Huck Finn and Jim, in Mark Twain's classic adventure tale of nineteenth century America. Published in paperback by Puffin Books in 1983 with Quentin Blake's illustrations drawn in black ink.

The original artwork features in the exhibition ‘Quentin Blake: Inside Stories’, touring the UK until 2017

Huck Finn at ease, in Mark Twain's classic adventure tale of nineteenth century America. Published in paperback by Pufin Books in 1983 with Quentin Blake's illustrations drawn in black ink.