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Details
BLAKE, William, illustrator – BLAIR, Robert (1699-1746). The Grave. A Poem. London: T. Bensley for R.H. Cromek, 1808.
First quarto edition. These etchings became the best known of Blake's designs; a second edition in both folio and quarto appeared in 1813. The first leaf of text is Blake's one-page dedicatory poem to the Queen who heads the six-page list of subscribers, many of whom were artists. Cromek's advertisement, lavishing praise on Schiavonetti, is followed by Fuseli's more profound appreciation of Blake's designs.
4to (364 x 261 mm). Etched portrait of Blake by L. Schiavonetti after T. Phillips, etched title-page, and 11 plates by Schiavonetti after Blake; text watermarked "J Whatman 1808"; engraved portrait of Schiavonetti after Anthony Cardon laid in. (A few pale stains.) Original boards, printed paper label on upper cover (rebacked, a few leaves disbound); quarter morocco slipcase. Provenance: William Augustus White (1843-1927), American collector (signature dated 9 May 1887). Bentley 435B; Robert N. Essick and Morton D. Paley, "The Printings of Blake's Designs for Blair's Grave" in: The Book Collector, Vol. 24, no. 4, Winter 1975.
First quarto edition. These etchings became the best known of Blake's designs; a second edition in both folio and quarto appeared in 1813. The first leaf of text is Blake's one-page dedicatory poem to the Queen who heads the six-page list of subscribers, many of whom were artists. Cromek's advertisement, lavishing praise on Schiavonetti, is followed by Fuseli's more profound appreciation of Blake's designs.
4to (364 x 261 mm). Etched portrait of Blake by L. Schiavonetti after T. Phillips, etched title-page, and 11 plates by Schiavonetti after Blake; text watermarked "J Whatman 1808"; engraved portrait of Schiavonetti after Anthony Cardon laid in. (A few pale stains.) Original boards, printed paper label on upper cover (rebacked, a few leaves disbound); quarter morocco slipcase. Provenance: William Augustus White (1843-1927), American collector (signature dated 9 May 1887). Bentley 435B; Robert N. Essick and Morton D. Paley, "The Printings of Blake's Designs for Blair's Grave" in: The Book Collector, Vol. 24, no. 4, Winter 1975.