The Odyssey of Homer [bound with] The Iliad of Homer.

true first editions on blue paper

The true first Piroli printing of these famous plates, much reprinted, along with Aeschylus and Hesiod whose engravings William Blake was famously engaged to create in 1805. Thomas Piroli's interpretation of both The Iliad and The Odyssey (the first two of the four Piroli titles) is a strikingly beautiful production, especially on the blue paper. Many later versions were printed on white paper with the text leaves in French.

Flaxman began his career as a designer for Wedgwood, but is chiefly remembered for his illustrations, sculptures, and designs for funerary monuments. The artist perfected his distinctive style of line illustration while studying in Italy (1787-1794), during which time he received commissions to produce the present series of images as well as illustrations for works by Aeschylus and Dante. In Ray's words, 'Flaxman's choice of great classics for the subjects of his illustrations and his spare but elegant style - chiefly inspired, it would seem, by Greek vase painting - made an irresistible appeal to the taste of the age'.

First editions; 2 vols in one, oblong folio; on blue paper with the watermark GLC within an urn-like device (as in the Blackmer 'Iliad'), The Odyssey with title page and 28 engraved plates (dated February 1st 1793), The Iliad with title page and 34 engraved plates (dated June 1st 1793; plate [24] dated 1794 as usual), text leaf at end of each vol. in Italian, armorial bookplate to front pastedown, neat 1862 inscription to front flyleaf, light foxing to Odyssey title page, light dampstaining along edges of rear endleaves, but plates clean and fresh; 19th-century half calf over marbled boards, marbled edges, spine gilt in compartments, extremities slightly rubbed with slight loss to corners, original plain blue wrappers bound in as endpapers; a very good copy.