[Blake, William]

Estimate

15,000 - 20,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

The Pastorals of Virgil, with a course of English reading, adapted for schools ... by Robert John Thornton. London: J. McGowan for F.C. Rivington and others, 1821
printed book

Two volumes, 12mo (7 x 4 ins.; 173 x 102 mm). Wood and steel-engraved plates and illustrations, printed with up to five plates to a page, some leaves printed recto and verso, including twenty-seven (on thirteen leaves) by or after William Blake.

Provenance

acquisition: Bernard Quaritch

Literature

Bentley 504; Keynes 77

Catalogue Note

first edition with plates by blake, presentation copy from thornton to his daughter, inscribed on the endpaper.

"The illustrations of this English Pastoral are by the famous Blake, the illustrator of Young's Night Thoughts and Blair's Grave; who designed and engraved them himself. This is mentioned, as they display less of art than genius, and are much admired by some eminent painters" (Thornton, under the frontis of Ecologue 1).