Jane Ashford: The Three Graces

The Three Graces by Jane Ashford is the last book of hers that Allan Kass illustrated. This book was published in March 1982 and is about how 3 sisters, impoverished from the death of their father and aunt, decide whether to remain spinsters or to make their own fortunes!

This is a striking cover with our couple standing in front of a harp and pianoforte. I would assume that Allan's illustrated the musical daughter, Euphie, who heads to London. I like the Wedgwood feel of the wall hanging. Also note the cat, which looks out of place in this picture! In one of Allan's letters, he remarked that he always wanted to tell a story with his art. I feel that he succeeds with his book illustrations.

Music was an accomplishment that high born girls had access to either with piano or singing lessons. Most girls knew enough to sing and play a few pieces. A truly accomplished female could teach in a school or give lessons to others. Great music was encouraged and flourished during this time and people enjoyed attending concerts and having musical evenings.

Jane Ashford: The Reluctant Rake

The Reluctant Rake is 7th in a series of illustrations done by Allan Kass for author Jane Ashford. This book was published in May 1987 and is a story about Julia who is engaged to Sir Richard Beckwith, but who may have a female rival in town.

London Society during the regency was a time of entertainment, visiting, partying, and matchmaking. People came to town from their country estates to shop, go to concerts and galleries, and associate with more people than in the country. Most parents sent up their older children to acquaint themselves with polite society, to polish off their manners after finishing school, and to find them spouses. The season was also called the "London Marriage Mart" because of this purpose. Those who couldn't afford a season in London would send children to Bath or Brighton or even to relatives in hope of finding suitable matches.

This cover is pretty with the heroine a beautiful brunette in a mauve pink gown. She has a young and innocent look to her face. The hero seems to be reassuring her about something...maybe the rival she spotted! Note the sunlight shining into the room; it looks like a nice summer day! Also note Allan's full signature in the bottom right corner.

Jane Ashford: A Radical Arrangement

A Radical Arrangement is the fifth book Allan Kass illustrated for Jane Ashford. This book was published by Signet in October 1983. Allan shows a couple standing in front of an ornate fireplace in a library. The plot is that both Sir Justin and Margaret are being pushed into an arranged marriage. In regency times, arranged marriages were still common among the upper classes. Marriages were made for title, position, land, and money. Most daughters had little to no choice in the matter. Marrying for love was becoming popular, though, and by the end of this century was the common reason for most marriages.

This cover is interesting with the bookcase and mirrored wall in the background. Most rooms had a fireplace since there was no central heating. The heroine is dressed in a beautiful pink, long sleeve gown and holds an ornate fan. Enjoy!

Jane Ashford: The Marchington Scandal

The Marchington Scandal was published by Signet in July 1982. It is one of Jane Ashford's earlier books and also one of Allan's earlier illustrations.

The plot of this regency is Katharine's help concerning the marriage of her cousin Elinor to Tom Marchington. A cruelly notorious countess is interfering in the lives of the newlyweds and Katharine asks for the help of Lord Oliver, a persistent suitor of hers.

This cover has a simple elegance to it with very little in the way of decoration. The focus is on the couple and the glance that is communicated between them. I love the relaxing feel of this picture with the handsome profile of the hero and the admiring response of the heroine. The fluidity of this illustration is astounding! Note in the bottom right corner that Allan Kass initials this book. Sometimes he signs his full name and at other times, just initials.

Jane Ashford: The Irresolute Rivals

The Irresolute Rivals is another beautiful cover illustrated by Allan Kass for author Jane Ashford. This book was published in February 1985 and is about Georgina who is ushering her niece Susan through her first season and realizes that she admires Baron Ellerton, the man that both Susan and her friend Marianne are pursuing!

This is an outdoor illustration probably in a walled garden. Note the ornate stonework behind the couple and the peacock. The heroine is holding a flower picked from a garden out of sight. She is dressed in a morning or afternoon empire gown; very simple in design. Also note the beautiful floral planter in the background.

Flowers were an important part of life in regency times. All great houses had a flower garden and you can visit nowadays and see great planters and gardens in Bath, among other places! Many ladies used flowers for decorating at balls, parties, and even their own homes. Men would send flowers to the lady of their choice and supply their partners with flowers for balls and parties, along with delivering floral tributes to someone they admired. It was common to receive many bouquets after a ball by the gentlemen who had danced with you. Flowers were among the only gifts a gentleman could give a lady. Even a cottage would have a vine or flowers in a garden!

Jane Ashford: The Impetuous Heiress

The Impetuous Heiress is the third book of Jane Ashford's illustrated by Allan Kass. The plot of this regency is the romance of a London beauty, Alicia, and the Scotsman who detests society and how they cope!

This cover, while looking at first glance simple, has much to offer. Note that the hero and heroine embrace in an elegantly appointed room: notice the curtains in the background. The statue and marble topped table attract our attention after the couple. Allan creates a portrait of a woman who wears a simple morning or afternoon dress, but has her hair down, which would be unacceptable in regency society, despite the latest Mansfield Park movie! Maybe she was resting or reading beforehand in this room. I love the blue of her dress and her earrings and ring. Our hero has a red cast to his hair denoting his Scots blood while wearing afternoon or evening dress. Note his watch fob with red ribbon! This is before the time of wristwatches, where men carried a pocket watch attached to a chain or ribbon. The fob could be considered an adornment, though Beau Brummell made male accessories little and understated. Permissible were a signet ring, watch fob, and stick pin for the cravat, but nothing further in the way of jewelry. Men could carry a snuff box, cane, and hat, but little else. Simplicity and elegance were the rule of the regency.

Jane Ashford: The Headstrong Ward

The Headstrong Ward by Jane Ashford is the second book illlustrated by Allan Kass. It was published by Signet in May 1983. The cover is gorgeous with a couple standing in an elegant room. Note the side table with books, a picture, and the parrot! Again, note Allan's use of jewelry on the heroine and the blond hero! Men began dressing in a formal black suit following the lead of Beau Brummell, grandson of a valet, who, because of his elegance of dress, became a leader of fashion and friends with the Prince Regent. Beau Brummell is the father of the modern suit. Up until this time, men wore colorful long skirted coats and wigs (think George Washington). During the mid 1770's, the fashion in Paris for men included makeup, fans, and high heeled shoes!! Beau promoted bathing daily and dressing your own hair, instead of wigs powdered with flour!

The Regency (1811-1820) was a time of very elegant dress for women with fashions following a Grecian simplicity imitating the Elgin marbles and fascination with Greek and Roman antiquities.

This book is about Anne, ward to Lord Debenham, who was about to "come out" into society. Girls had a season or "came out" after they finished school or were 17 or 18. A ward was someone who was orphaned and another had legal, personal, and financial responsiblity until they came of age.

Jane Ashford: First Season

First Season was the first of 8 books that Allan Kass illustrated for Jane Ashford. This book was published by Signet in January 1984. This book is about a widow named Anabel who visits her mother in London and meets 2 very different suitors. During the regency, a widow usually inherited a jointure, or settlement, that would keep her in finances. Sometimes this had to be given back to the estate if she remarried.

This is one of Allan's classic illustrations. Note the heroine's dress trimmings, jewelry, and elaborate hairdo. She reclines on a chaise lounge; a piece of furniture usually found in a boudoir or private sitting room. Note that the hero leans over her, but is not threatening. One skill of Allan's that I admire is that he could draw bodily proportions perfectly. Many book covers illustrations during the 1980's had less than skillful cover art. Some were downright scary and ugly! I believe that the Signet line had some of the best cover art and, of course, Allan Kass was the best of the illustrators!