Edited with Lithographs of the Illustrated "Prophetic Books," and a Memoir and Interpretation.
London, Bernard Quaritch, 1893
Deluxe issue - one of 150 copies. The scarce 'large paper edition' (Wade), in half tan morocco binding. An edition of 500 copies issued in light green cloth was also printed in 1893.
Despite Blake's reputation having been established by the 1890s, a full collected edition of his works had still not been published. Yeats and Ellis took up the task and produced this work of 'great originality'. Not only did they issue Blake's work at length, but they also undertook the 'explanation of "The Symbolic System" [which] occupied 185 pages, and the "Interpretation and Paraphrased Commentary" another 300. And here, directed at a comparatively wide audience, were not only transcripts of the Prophetic Books but facsimiles of them as well.' (Bentley).
First edition, first impression, deluxe 'large paper' issue, one of 150 copies thus; 3 vols, large 8vo (29 x 20.5 cm); frontispiece to each vol., with tissue guards, errata slip facing p.xvi of first vol., profusely illustrated in black and white, some foxing, heavier to preliminary and terminal leaves; publisher's half tan morocco, cloth sides, decoration after Blake and titles to spines gilt, top edges gilt, others untrimmed, some rubbing to corners and extremities, else very good.
Wade 218.
Despite Blake's reputation having been established by the 1890s, a full collected edition of his works had still not been published. Yeats and Ellis took up the task and produced this work of 'great originality'. Not only did they issue Blake's work at length, but they also undertook the 'explanation of "The Symbolic System" [which] occupied 185 pages, and the "Interpretation and Paraphrased Commentary" another 300. And here, directed at a comparatively wide audience, were not only transcripts of the Prophetic Books but facsimiles of them as well.' (Bentley).
First edition, first impression, deluxe 'large paper' issue, one of 150 copies thus; 3 vols, large 8vo (29 x 20.5 cm); frontispiece to each vol., with tissue guards, errata slip facing p.xvi of first vol., profusely illustrated in black and white, some foxing, heavier to preliminary and terminal leaves; publisher's half tan morocco, cloth sides, decoration after Blake and titles to spines gilt, top edges gilt, others untrimmed, some rubbing to corners and extremities, else very good.
Wade 218.
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