ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE BOOK OF JOB: INVENTED AND ENGRAVED BY WILLIAM BLAKE
Book Details + Condition: Methuen & Co. (London), 1903. First Edition thus. Limited edition of 100 copies for England, reproduced in reduced facsimile from the original edition published by William Blake in 1825. Contains 22 single-sided tissue-guarded monochrome etchings on India paper mounted on handmade paper, each stating PROOF to the bottom right hand corner, in small script. All images are in black and white and have embossment plate indentations which present very well, and not seen on modern editions. All retain their original tissue guards. The engravings measure 4'' x 3''. Hardcover copy in publisher's original quarter white cloth with cream paper title and author lettering label to the spine, steel blue paper covered boards, all page edges untrimmed. 8vo. "Illustrations of the Book of Job" primarily refers to a series of twenty-two engraved prints by Blake illustrating the biblical Book of Job. It also refers to two earlier sets of watercolors by Blake on the same subject (1806 and 1821). The engraved Illustrations are considered to be Blake's greatest masterpieces in the medium of engraving, and were also a rare commercial and critical success for Blake. Red and black inked title page stating 'A New Edition'. OF SPECIAL NOTE: This is a Presentation Copy to "Mrs Butts, from the Editor." It is most likely that the "Mrs. Butts" referred to in the inscription of this rare limited edition hails from the Butts family, who through Thomas Butts, was an early collector and purchaser of William Blake's work. The Butts were a major patron of the artist; Blake also painted several portraits of members of the Butts family. By the 1850s, the Butts auctioned off a portion of their holdings of Blake's work. Up until the late 20th century, the Butts family remained major holders of Blake. [See "The Illustrated Quarterly Blake," vol 29, issue 2, 1995] Solid and tight copy. Some discoloration and light wear to the boards and spine label. Foxing on endpapers and sporadically in book. An exceptionally scarce find and a gem for any William Blake collector.
