- 73
Blake, William.
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description
- Illustrations of The Book of Job. Invented & Engraved by William Blake 1825. Published as the Act directs March 8: 1825 by William Blake [1826]
Folio (406 by 316mm.), engraved pictorial title-page and 21 plates designed and engraved by William Blake, one of 150 sets of proof impressions on india paper, each sheet interleaved, late nineteenth-century brown straight-grained morocco gilt by Riviere, spine gilt in compartments, gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers, gilt edges, paper blemish in plate 18 not affecting image, minor marks to upper cover
Bentley notes that 150 'Proof' sets on India paper (watermarked J WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1825) and 65 on French paper (watermarked J WHATMAN 1825) were printed in March 1826. The word 'Proof' was then removed from the plates and 100 sets were printed on drawing paper.
"Illustrations of the Book of Job was Blake's last completed prophetic book... it was planned without text, although the margins of the engravings are filled with important Biblical quotations... the Illustrations are Blake's most lucid; and they are the supreme example of his reading the Bible in its spiritual sense."
(S. Foster Damon, A Blake Dictionary, 1973)
Bentley notes that 150 'Proof' sets on India paper (watermarked J WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1825) and 65 on French paper (watermarked J WHATMAN 1825) were printed in March 1826. The word 'Proof' was then removed from the plates and 100 sets were printed on drawing paper.
"Illustrations of the Book of Job was Blake's last completed prophetic book... it was planned without text, although the margins of the engravings are filled with important Biblical quotations... the Illustrations are Blake's most lucid; and they are the supreme example of his reading the Bible in its spiritual sense."
(S. Foster Damon, A Blake Dictionary, 1973)
Provenance
Robert Griffin of Court Garden, Marlow, Bucks (c.1840-1921); thence by descent
Literature
Bentley 421
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."