An Edwardian Season

by John S. Goodall (Artist)

The fourth of these excursions into the Edwardian era follows the course of the London 'Season', a more fashionable and sophisticated milieu than those through which the boy and girl made their way in previous volumes.

Besides the debutante's coming-out ball, we are privileged to visit sporting events at Henley, Ascot and Lord's and even taste a little night-life at Romano's and the stage-door of the Gaiety Theatre.

Once again Mr Goodall has produced an enchanting evocation of a vanished age.

Genres: History, Edwardian, Picture Books, Nonfiction, British Literature, Art

64 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1979

About the author

John S. Goodall (7 June 1908 – 2 June 1996) was a British author, watercolour painter and illustrator, best known for his wordless picture books such as The Adventures of Paddy Pork, although his output included more conventional pictures, and illustrations for a wide range of publications (including the Radio Times) and books by the "fictitious village schoolmistress Miss Read". Goodall became one of England's most beloved artists due to the subject matter of his works, the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is John Goodall's fourth book in this series that captures portraits of vanished eras and it is just as good as his others. This one concerns the London Season and takes the reader through events of that season from arrival in town through visits to sporting events such as Ascot, Henley and Lord's with the Coming-Out dance and the Buckingham Palace Garden Party in between before the departure of the debutantes for Scotland at the end of the season.

All the paintings are delighted populated with the debutantes and their escorts and family and after arrival in the metropolis it usually began with a private view at the Royal Academy of Arts and the double page image of the ladies in their finery, accompanied by top-hatted gentlemen viewing the walls full of works of art is truly delightful.

Dressing for presentation at Court is followed by a busy painting of the Coming-Out dance which is followed by supper in one of the many marquees. There is supper at Romano's [it reminds me of Deborah and I going for breakfast at Fortnum and Mason's when I had gone down to London for a striped blazer fitting and a visit to Lord's thereafter - the Mayfair tailor even rang the ground to ensure play had begun before ringing for a taxi for us!], and then trips to the three major sporting events of the season, Royal Ascot [the nearest Linda and I got to this was when we attended the Oaks, the day before the Derby, when we got engaged] the Henley Regatta, and Eton versus Harrow at Lord's, which was a regular venue for us but not for the public school game.

A trip round Kensington Gardens was de rigueur [I lived close by here for two years so was a regular in the Gardens, either wandering round the round pond, sunning myself, viewing Peter Pan's statue or even playing football or cricket, which was not really allowed in a Royal park], there was a visit to the Zoo, a country House weekend plus all the fun of the fair at Hampstead Heath on Bank Holiday.

The Cowes Regatta finished it all off before, exhausted, it was off home or as the author suggests 'Departure for Scotland at the end of the Season'. The nearest we ever came to the Season was when Linda, Deborah and I were going to the theatre in Mayfair (Richard Todd in a murder mystery) and we were relaxing in Green Park beforehand, right next to The Ritz. And there is a mezzanine floor with its own patio in The Ritz and we were more or less overlooking this and could hear everything that was going on.

There were speeches and the theme was 'The Season' so it was quite interesting and the one thing that stuck in my memory was the final toast by the speaker, which was 'The Season and all who wassail in her' as I thought this rather quaint. And that's the closest we ever were to that particular type of season! Of course I was always close to the Football or Cricket Season!

'An Edwardian Season' is a delightful book to look at - there are no words apart from a brief introduction - and it is an enchanting and evocative portrait of an age long gone in that particular form.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is charmingly illustrated with watercolors depicting the events of the Edwardian Season. There is no prose, except an introduction about the Season and a list of the illustrations. Each scene painstakingly recreates the events of a c. 1901-1910 Season: Arrival in Belgravia; Bond Street; At the Dressmakers; Calling; Private View at the Royal Academy; Ready for Presentation at Court; Arriving for the Coming-Out Dance; Supper; Below Stairs; The Royal Opera House; Covent Garden; The Stage Door at the Gaiety; Supper at Romano's' Royal Ascot; Henley Regatta; Eton and Harrow Match at Lord's; Rotten Row; Buckingham Palace Garden Party; Matinee; Kensington Gardens; Excursion of the Thames; The Zoo; Tea at Gunter's; Country House Weekend; Embassy Reception; Hampstead Heath on a Bank Holiday; Cowes Regatta; Departure for Scotland at the end of the Season.

Each watercolor illustration shows people of all ages, both above and below stairs (though mostly above) and even working class people enjoying a holiday at a fair. The beautiful illustrations resemble impressionist paintings. There is a lot going on in each scene so the reader must carefully study each photo. The Edwardian Season had so many more different activities than the Regency Season I am so familiar with, but many of the locations are the same, so it was fun to see. Since there's no prose, it can serve as an introduction to the period for young readers and adults can make up a story to go with it. I want to find the other books in the series. If I can find them all foe a decent price, I'd like to own them.This book is a must for Downton Abbey fans. It will provide a look back at what the Crawley sisters experienced before the war. If you lament the fact we never saw Sybil's Season, this book is for you!

[Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely picture book that allows you to feel the Edwardian era season (the upper class of course). A priceless guide if you read (or plan to read) a novel taking place in those times.

For more read QNPoohBear's review.

[Vivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite and precious. The art is so beautiful and the images really do convey the feeling of an era long gone by. You feel tranported back to the beginning of the 20th century in all its splendor.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Multiple readings just to see all of the artwork!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are so weird and little and I love them. That's it, that's the review.