London, Trianon Press for the William Blake Trust, 1972
One of 352 copies. An very good three-volume limited edition set of William Blake's Water-Colour Designs for the Poems of Thomas Gray, limited to 352 copies printed on Arches pure rag paper made specially to match that used by Blake. Profusely illustrated with extravagant and imaginative watercolours, surrounding the printed text of Gray's poems. Complete with introduction and commentary by Blake's biographer, Geoffrey Keynes KT.
The Trianon Press reproductions are recognised as the finest facsimiles, hand-coloured through stencil, referencing the originals in Paul Mellon's collection. The reproduction was a mammoth undertaking, employing eighteen artists for four years and using up to forty-two stencils per plate. This three-volume set, limited to 352 copies, is one of the grandest of the Trianon Press William Blake facsimiles, with the Times Literary Supplement stating that nothing like these books had been printed before, and that it was unlikely they could ever be printed again.
One of 352 copies, unnumbered on the colophon.
First edition thus, first impression, one of 352 copies, from a total edition of 518, all on Arches pure rag paper; 3 vols, folio, (42.8 x 34.5 cm); collotype facsimile illustrations hand-coloured through stencil, text onlays, light spotting to prelims, scattered light toning to text (not affecting illustrations), otherwise unmarked internally; publisher's tan quarter morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, gilt lettering to spine, spine slightly faded on text volume, matching morocco-edged slipcases, overall a bright and attractive set.
The Trianon Press reproductions are recognised as the finest facsimiles, hand-coloured through stencil, referencing the originals in Paul Mellon's collection. The reproduction was a mammoth undertaking, employing eighteen artists for four years and using up to forty-two stencils per plate. This three-volume set, limited to 352 copies, is one of the grandest of the Trianon Press William Blake facsimiles, with the Times Literary Supplement stating that nothing like these books had been printed before, and that it was unlikely they could ever be printed again.
One of 352 copies, unnumbered on the colophon.
First edition thus, first impression, one of 352 copies, from a total edition of 518, all on Arches pure rag paper; 3 vols, folio, (42.8 x 34.5 cm); collotype facsimile illustrations hand-coloured through stencil, text onlays, light spotting to prelims, scattered light toning to text (not affecting illustrations), otherwise unmarked internally; publisher's tan quarter morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, gilt lettering to spine, spine slightly faded on text volume, matching morocco-edged slipcases, overall a bright and attractive set.
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