Milton, John

The Paradise Lost (illus. John Martin). London: Septimus Prowett, 1827



2 volumes, 4to (14 1/2 x 10 in.; 370 x 260 mm). Half-titles, 24 lettered proofs of the smaller set of the mezzotints (image size measuring 5 3/4 x 7 1/2 in.; 150 x 190mm), section titles for Books I-XII with arguments on versos; some marginal foxing to plates, minor speckling to a few plate images. Contemporary crushed dark blue morocco, panelled gilt, the spine in 6 compartments lettered gilt with raised bands ruled in gilt, yellow endpapers, by Charles Murton of London; white cast to bindings due to leather dressing, light rubbing to joints, small crack in upper hinge of vol. 2

Muir Victorian Illustrated Books, pp. 75-77; Ray, English, 69 (and no. XXVII on his list of "100 Outstanding Illustrated Books"). Ramsden, London Book Binders 109 ("a fine binder")

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Imperial quarto issue, with a proof suite of the plates in the smaller format.  A skilled etcher, Martin began experimenting with mezzotint about 1823. Paradise Lost was his first large undertaking in the medium, which until then had been used almost exclusively to reproduce paintings and portraits. Martin's mezzotints are worked with great romantic genius, transforming details of early nineteenth-century industrialism (incandescent gas, coalpit accidents, the new; Thames tunnel) into apocalyptic, resonatingly beautiful, visions of hell. Engraved on steel rather than copperplate, the illustrations were extremely successful and enjoyed a long life, with at least eight reissues by four different publishers over the next forty years.