Blair, Robert--Blake, William

folio (411 x 319mm.), etched portrait by L. Schiavonetti after T. Phillips, etched frontispiece and 11 plates by Schiavonetti after Blake, first illustrated folio edition on large paper, proof copy issue, with the publisher's name reading "Davis" instead of "Davies" on plates 1, 3-4, 7-8, 10-11, the caption of plate 2 reading "The Valley of Death" instead of "The descent of man into the Vale of Death", and plate 6 inscribed "W:Blake del^t ", illustrations grouped at the end as in some other copies, CONTEMPORARY BLACK STRAIGHT-GRAINED MOROCCO GILT BY CHARLES SMITH, borders in blind and gilt, spine gilt in six compartments, inner dentelles, green silk doublures and endleaves, all edges gilt, some light soiling and foxing to plates and text

Keynes 81, Bentley 435A; Bentley Blake Records pp.166-174; Bentley/Nurmi 350A

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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."

This fine proof copy issue includes the supplementary etched and engraved title-page of "The Skeleton Reanimated", inscribed "Proof Copy R.H. C[romek]. Price 5.5.0" at the bottom.

For this first illustrated edition of The Grave the publisher Cromek engaged Blake to produce designs, and acquired most of his 589 subscribers by exhibiting them in provincial towns. He subsequently reduced the number of illustrations from the planned twenty to twelve, and employed the lesser-known Schiavonetti to produce the engravings. Blake received a miserly 20 guineas for his work. Ackermann reissued the work in 1813, and many versions of the famous "Death's Door" plates appeared over the next fifty years or so.

Samuel Charles Smith (born c.1790) was one of the most competent binders of the early nineteenth century. He was one of a number of binders to earn the displeasure of William Beckford, who referred to him as "Beast Smith" (see Anthony Hobson, "William Beckford's Binders", Festschrift Ernst Kyriss, pp.375-381).