Coronation decoration - Harold Nelson's borders for The Ladies' Field - June 1902

Harold Nelson's designs for the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902

One of my favourite drawings in my collection features Poseiden, Athena and Flora. Poseiden pours water from a jar, Athena holds a trident (Poseiden's) in the centre and Flora holds flowers and fruit. It is a preparatory drawing for a page border.

For quite some time I have speculated what it may have been for. After looking through copies of The Ladies' Field I discovered that the drawing was a preparatory design for one of their special issues.

An advertisement in the Ladies' Field of 31 May 1902 hinted at some work of Nelson's which I had not come across before. Pages of the Coronation number had been designed by Nelson.

Advertisement for The Ladies' Field Coronation Number 31 May 1902

My page border drawing featured in the Coronation Number published on June 14 1902. In total Nelson designed the back cover and two borders which were printed in different colours throughout the volume.

Preparatory Sketch, 1902.

Printed version cut down to match the drawing.

There were slight adjustments including the location of Poseiden's trident, whilst the vines dividing the gods have been further elaborated. Poseiden is flanked by mermaids and Flora by nymphs.

Full page image of the border page 49.

Second Border, 1902.

The second, named as such, as it is the second border by Nelson to appear in the Coronation number. The border features two muses attending to the royal lions, the muse to the top right holds a sceptre and to the left, the other holds out the crown in an act of coronation. 

Muse holding a sceptre to the regal lion (detail).

Muse offering a crown to the regal lion (detail).

The back cover of the issue features a winged victory holding a crown and sceptre, standing above figures representing 'East and West' thereby uniting the Commonwealth. West sits with a kangaroo and East, a cheetah / leopard.

I would love to know if Nelson had specific instructions what to include in his designs for this edition or whether he was able to choose himself. Hopefully I will be able to find more about this incredibly beautiful drawing soon enough.