William Blake's Water-Colour Designs for the Poems of Thomas Gray.
London: The Trianon Press, For the William Blake Trust, 1972 Stock Code: 145354
Signed by Geoffrey Keynes
First edition thus, first impression, number 93 of 352 copies, from an edition limited to 518, all printed on Arches pure rag paper made specially to match that used by Blake. This copy is signed by Blake's bibliographer Geoffrey Keynes on the colophon. Keynes was the chairman of the William Blake Trust, and contributes the introduction to the books.In this extravagant tour de force Blake used Gray's poems, the printed text mounted on a large sheet, as the jumping off point for characteristically epic and imaginative watercolours. The Trianon Press reproductions are recognized as the finest facsimiles - each leaf is hand-coloured through stencils, working from the originals in Paul Mellon's collection. The Times Literary Supplement stated at the time that nothing like these books had been printed before, and that it was unlikely that they could ever be printed again.
This copy includes the original prospectuses, and another for Blake's Night Thoughts.
Description
3 volumes, folio. Original brown quarter morocco, spines lettered in gilt, marbled sides. Housed in original leather entry marbled slipcases.
Condition
A fine set.
DELIVERY
With the exception of framed items*, Peter Harrington offers free delivery on all UK orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website. Delivery to USA and the rest of the world is similarly free for orders over £200.
ABOUT US
Established in 1969, Peter Harrington is one of the leading rare book firms in the world. It is a proud member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association – along with ILAB, the PBFA and Lapada – and from shops in Mayfair and Chelsea, London, sells rare books, prints and ephemera to customers across the world.
Email: mail@peterharrington.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 0220
