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begin page 4 | ↑ back to topBLAKE IN THE MARKETPLACE, 1978-1979
Since my last survey of sales (Blake: An Illustrated Quarterly, Vol. 12, Summer 1978, pp. 26-38), it has become increasingly clear that there is no single Blake market, amenable to easy summary, but several. Eash has its own distinct economics, group of buyers and sellers, and importance for academic Blakeans.
The stratospheric heights, beyond the reach of all but the wealthiest, have been represented during the last two years by the auction sale of Songs of Innocence and of Experience copy D (illus. 1) and the two large tempera panels, “Evening” and “Winter.” The first, knocked down for $147,000 (plus the 10% surcharge now required by both Sotheby’s and Christie’s), not only is a record for any work by Blake, but according to Christie’s is the most ever paid for a single work of English literature. Unfortunately (for the sellers) the several other illuminated books sold in 1978 and 1979 changed hands before this landmark auction. It should have considerable impact on future sales of fine illuminated books, few of which still lie in private hands; but less influence on prices for individual relief etchings and I suspect practically none on other types of Blake books. The high prices for the temperas (£30,000 for “Winter” and £21,000 for “Evening”) were at least in part due to the medium, generally considered by the art world to be, like oil, more important than water color. That Blake’s so-called “temperas” were probably executed in nothing more than a thicker variety of Blake’s gum- or glue-fixed water color makes little difference in this context. The price for “Winter” is probably a new auction record for a painting by Blake and will tend to push up the monetary value of his other important pictures. Yet, if we compare this price to those fetched by even the second rank of old masters or important eighteenth-century continental artists, Blake looks like a bargain. His drawings and paintings still find their market among rather bookish sorts or collectors who concentrate on British art and have little appeal outside the English speaking world. If Blake should ever become part of the international art market and achieve the popularity and reputation of such masters as Frederick Remington or Andy Warhol, prices would soar.
The scene is very different if we look at the other end of the Blake picture market. The drawing “Non Angli Sed Angeli” did fairly well at £2200, at least in part because it is closely associated with the important finished water color in the Victoria and Albert. Yet prices for equally important drawings have actually descended—precipitously so if calculated in uninflated money. A case in point is “Every Man also Gave Him a Piece of Money” (illus. 2) formerly in the Robertson and Preston collections. Colnaghi offered it for £15,000 in their fall 1976 exhibition, but the drawing was stolen on the last day of the show. Recovered by the insurance company, the drawing was offered at Sotheby’s with an estimate of £10,000 to £15,000. The drawing’s lot number is not given in the price list, and thus it apparently failed to meet the reserve, which could not have been higher than the low estimate. Dealers continue to ask high prices for such works, but the auction record shows the true thinness and weakness of this market. Lesser works have fared even worse. begin page 5 | ↑ back to top After the high prices fetched in June 1971 for leaves from the Blake-Varley Sketchbook, seven years later one would think that even a counterproof would bring more than the £45 paid for “Queen Eleanor.” A similar counterproof of “Canute” went for £150 in 1976.
Impressions of Blake’s intaglio engravings have fluctuated considerably, in part according to availability. Commercial engravings plucked from books have risen sharply, but their price was so low only a few years ago that 100% increases do not carry them very far in absolute terms. “Christ Trampling on Urizen” demonstrates the effects of over-supply. There would seem to be a cache of posthumous impressions somewhere, but its owner has not been releasing them slowly enough and the auction prices have steadily descended. One of the first to appear on the auction market in many years brought £189 in October 1975; the most recent sold for £15 in February 1979. Even major series such as the Job and Dante illustrations have not increased much on the average, and one can pick out individual sales that show a decline. For example, in July 1974 a complete set of the Dante made £3,700 in London; another copy of the 1892 printing, with a bit more foxing, brought £3200 in December 1979. A complete proof copy of the Job sold at a London auction in December 1973 for £3200; a similar set brought $5000 in a New York sale, May 1978. The Job—one of the greatest works of line engraving produced in any age—is my candidate for the most underpriced work by an English artist. If the market gave it a monetary value commensurate with its aesthetic value, as it does for Durer, Rembrandt, and Goya, the price should be in the neighborhood of $20,000.
The Blake book market, excluding original copies of the illuminated books, is more orderly than those already described. A few items, such as the Wit’s Magazine, suddenly take off for no apparent reason, but gradual rises are the rule. Gilchrist’s Life of Blake, 1863 and 1880, and almost all titles by Sir Geoffrey Keynes, have more than outpaced the general rate of inflation. The best performers among books with Blake’s engravings have been the Night Thoughts—including the enormous record price of $18,150 for a beautifully colored copy—and titles that have always brought good prices, such as Hunter’s Narrative and Stuart & Revett’s Antiquities of Athens, for reasons other than their Blake associations. Quaritch has made certain that the prices for out-of-print Blake Trust items continue their steady ascent by purchasing copies that come up at auction and offering them for sale at prices a little above the rest of the market. Their price of $4000 for the 1951 Jerusalem is a new record for any Blake Trust volume. Important early reprints of Blake’s poems, particularly those published by Pickering, have fared well. Yet, there is nothing in the record of sales to support the common opinion, held by many dealers as well as collectors, that any book bearing Blake’s name automatically soars in price above all other publications.
The following compilation of Blake sales for 1978-1979 (along with a few late 1977 and early 1980 items) follows the same format as previous lists, with the addition of a concluding section on selected out-of-print secondary materials. We hope that this new section will help individuals and libraries determine appropriate prices for volumes they wish to add to their research and reference collections.
ABBREVIATIONS
| CL | Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd., London |
| CNY | Christie, Manson & Woods, New York |
| cat. | catalogue or sales list issued by a dealer or auction house (usually followed by a number or letter designation) |
| illus. | the item or part thereof is reproduced in the catalogue |
| SB | Sotheby Belgravia, Motcomb St., London |
| SH | Sotheby & Co., Hodgson’s Rooms, Chancery Lane, London |
| SL | Sotheby & Co., Main Rooms, Bond St., London |
| SNY | Sotheby Parke-Bernet, New York |
| Swann | Swann Galleries, Inc., auctioneers, New York |
| # | auction lot or catalogue item number |
Auction prices are the “hammer price”—that is, the price the auctioneer gives as the winning bid. They do not include surcharges or commission fees.
I wish to thank G. E. Bentley, Jr., Laura Brown, Detlef W. Dörrbecker, Edwin Epps, and Ruth Fine for their assistance in compiling this list. R. N. E.
ILLUMINATED BOOKS AND POETICAL SKETCHES
America. Pl. 7 only, printed in sepia. Described as a posthumous impression, but the texture of ink, color, and wiping of the borders all indicate a pull by Blake himself. Signature on verso of John Defett Francis, 1834. Not previously recorded. SH, 13 July 79, #147 illus. (A. G. Thomas, £1200). Offered by Thomas in his cat. 38, Nov. 78, #33, for £2000. Now in the collection of Mr. Raymond Lister.
Book of Thel, copy A. The “anonymous collector” (i.e., John E. duPont) listed as the owner in Blake Books resold it to Warren Howell in 1978. Acquired by Colin Franklin, Oxfordshire, who in turn sold the book to an anonymous private collector.
Poetical Sketches, 1783. Lacking signatures I-K (supplied in facsimile); copy P in Blake Books. SL, 24 April 78, #50 (E. M. Lawson, £2000). Now in the collection of Sir Geoffrey Keynes.
Songs of Innocence, copy J. Acquired from John Howell Books in 1978 by Abel E. Berland, Chicago. Formerly in the collection of John E. duPont.
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Songs of Innocence and of Experience, copy D, from the collection of Arthur A. Houghton. CL, 13 June 1979, #44, frontis. to Innocence illus. in color (John Fleming, £70,000). Now in the collection of Mr. Haven O’More, Boston. SEE ILLUS. 1.
Songs of Innocence and of Experience, copy P. Sold by John Howell Books for $50,000 in 1978 to a private collector in England. Formerly in the collection of John E. duPont.
Songs of Innocence and of Experience, three pls. only: “The Ecchoing Green,” second pl.; “The Little Black Boy,” second pl.; “Holy Thursday” (from Experience). Formerly in the collection of Dr. B. E. Juel-Jensen (Blake Books, p. 430) and Colin Franklin. Zeitlin & Ver Brugge, spring 79 Portfolio 4, #3, all three illus. ($15,000). I believe that this is a record per plate price for pages from the illuminated books. These are the only known impressions of relief etchings printed by Blake on laid India paper. The coloring is incomplete on all three pls.; Christ’s robe in “The Little Black Boy” is colored bright scarlet. Still available, March 1980.
Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Posthumous impressions on 1831 and 1832 Whatman paper. Printed in black, 43 leaves bearing 43 pls. Previously unrecorded. Bernard Rosenthal, San Francisco; sold for an unknown amount to Arthur E. Vershbow, Boston, Dec. 1979.
DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS
“Evening,” tempera, 91.8 × 29.7 cm., from the collection of Vaughan Johnson. SL, 18 July 79, #59, illus. color (Agnew for a private collector, £21,000).
“Every Man also Gave Him a Piece of Money.” Pencil, pen, blue & gray washes, 23 × 18 cm. Formerly Tatham, Weston, Robertson, and Preston collections. SL, 19 July 79, #62, illus. color (not sold; estimate £10,000-15,000). Previously sold SL, 21 March 74, #16 to Colnaghi for £9500; offered in their Sept. 76 cat., #83, for £15,000. SEE ILLUS. 2.
“Head of a Faun,” pencil sketch, 8 15/16 × 7 ⅜ in. Stanhope Skelton, Suffolk, Nov. 78 ($3500).
“Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes,” tempera, formerly Preston collection. Restored in recent years. Acquired by Robert Essick from Raphael Valls Gallery, London, in April, 1980. SEE ILLUS. 3.
“Non Angli Sed Angeli—St. Gregory and the British Captives” (recto); lower part of a large nude demon and five visionary heads including Thomas More, Bluff King Hal, and Hotspur (verso). Both pencil, sheet 32 × 47 cm. The recto is a preliminary sketch for the water color in the Victoria and Albert Museum. SL, 30 Nov. 78, #72, recto illus. (£2200). Now in a private New Jersey collection.
“Saint Paul Shaking off the Viper,” water color, signed, 15 ⅜ × 11 ⅞ in. Formerly Robertson, Sir Oliver Scott, and John E. duPont collections. Lot 46 in Robertson sale, Christie’s, 22 July 1949. No. 157a in Keynes, Bible Illustrations. Warren Howell, John Howell Books, 1978 ($60,000). Still available Jan. 1980. SEE ILLUS. 4.
“Virgin Hushing the Young Baptist as He Approaches Jesus.” Tempera, 26.3 × 38.1 cm. Illus. Blake Quarterly, 12 (summer, 1978), 27. Sold by Howell to a private collector.
“Visionary Head of Queen Eleanor.” Pencil counter-proof by Linnell, 22.5 × 15 cm. From Linnell and E. J. Shaw collections. SL, 4 May 78, #59 (£45).
“Winter,” tempera, 90.2 × 29.7 cm., from the collection of Vaughan Johnson. SL, 18 July 79, #58 illus. color (Agnew, £30,000). Now in the Tate Gallery.
“Witch of Endor: Saul and the Ghost of Samuel (?).” On verso, Saul in anguish as Samuel appears. Pencil, 15.9 × 24 cm. Colnaghi, Nov. 79 cat., #27 recto illus. (£2250). Illus. Blake Newsletter, 7 (1973), 8. Previously sold SL, 7 July 77 #41 (£920).
MANUSCRIPTS
Autograph note signed, on sheet 3 × 7 ½ in., dated 9 Sept. 1806. Receipt to Thomas Butts for six shillings, from the collection of Ruthven Todd (see Bentley, Blake Records, p. 575). SNY, 23 May 79, #1 illus. ($2500).
SEPARATE PLATES AND PLATES IN SERIES (including plates extracted from printed books)
Ariosto, Orlando Furioso. Blake’s pl. for, after Stothard, 3rd st., Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #1 ($45).
“Beggar’s Opera, Act III,” after Hogarth. 4th st., two copies, SB, 2 Dec. 77, #1 (£10). 1st (etched) st. on laid paper, some tears, cut close, SL, 26 April 78, #167 (£250).
Blair, The Grave. Pls. complete, 1813 states, SNY, 28 June 78, #355 ($160). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #3, pl. 5, 1st st. ($145); #4, pl. 8, 3rd st. ($120).
“Chaucers Canterbury Pilgrims.” CL, 18 April 78, #128, 2nd st., with Stothard’s Canterbury Pilgrims, from the collection of Sir William Stirling-Maxwell, illus. (private collector, £2800); #129, 4th st. (£480). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #13, 2nd st., some foxing, begin page 8 | ↑ back to top
[View this object in the William Blake Archive]
“Christ Trampling on Urizen,” Butts and Blake. CNY, 5 May 78, #181, on thick wove paper, slight staining ($154). CL, 6 Dec. 78, #158, on wove paper (£45). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #15, on wove paper (£15).
Cumberland’s Calling card. Maggs, private offer July 78, printed in brown ($170); private offer Aug. 78, printed in black ($250). SH, 25 May 79, #506, in a lot of approx. 3670 bookplates (Thorp, £1650).
Now in a private collection. The dealer, Thomas Thorp of London, who purchased the lot has refused to give R. N. E. the name of the owner or pass along a letter of inquiry to him.
Dante, Blake’s engravings to The Inferno. Swann, 4 May 78, #35, with label, on J Whatman/Turkey Mill paper (1st issue?) ($8600). CNY, 16 Nov. 78, #40a, 1892 issue with small margins, vertical fold, foxed, pl. 4 illus. (not included in price list, and thus apparently not sold). John Howell Books, Nov. 79, on laid India mounted on thick cream wove (1st issue?), from the collection of Adeline Butterworth with her signature dated 1913 ($12,000). Serendipity Books, Dec. 79 cat. 39, #P128, with label, on white wove paper with “N” watermark fragment (1st issue?) ($13,000). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #120, 1892 issue, vertical fold, foxed (same copy as sold CNY above?), pl. 1 illus. (£3200). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., pl. 4 only ($1800).
Darwin, Botanic Garden. SL, 26 May 78, #96, pls. 1 and 6 only (not sold). Edwin Epps, Dec. 78 list, #1a, pl. 2 only ($50); #1b, pl. 5 only ($45).
Gay, Fables. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat., #1a-d: pl. 3 ($20), pl. 5 ($30), pl. 10 ($25), pl. 11 ($30).
Job, complete. Swann, 4 May 78, #33, proofs on laid India ($5600). SNY, 23 May 78, #285, proofs on laid India, pl. 16 illus. ($5000). CL, 6 Dec. 78, begin page 10 | ↑ back to top #159, proofs on wove paper in orange paper boards with label, pl. 14 illus. (£4000). CL, 13 Dec. 78, #63, regular issue on Whatman wove paper, pl. 3 illus. (Reed, £2900). CNY, 20 April 79, #12, proofs on laid India unbound with label, pl. 14 illus. ($7000). CL, 27 June 79, #83, late printing on laid India, pl. 5 illus. (£3200). Bernard Rosenthal, private offer Dec. 79, late printing on laid India ($5000).
Job, individual plates. SNY, 16 Feb. 79, late issue on laid India, #566-577: title-page and pls. 1-2 ($450); pl. 3, illus. ($700); pls. 4, 7 ($525); pl. 5, illus. ($650); pls. 6, 8 ($500); pls. 10, 12 ($600); pls. 11, 13 ($750); pl. 16 ($275); pls. 17, 18 ($550); pls. 19, 20 ($650); pl. 21 ($300); pl. 22 on wove paper (not sold). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., pls. 1, 10, 15, 19, 20, 21, proofs on laid India ($650 each). W. & V. Dailey, Dec. 79 cat. 12, regular issue on Whatman paper, pl. 4 ($650); pl. 7 ($1000); pl. 10 ($650). CL, 9 Oct. 79, #24, pl. 5, proof on wove paper (£200); #24, pl. 20, proof on wove paper (£200). CL, 7 Dec. 77, #149, late impressions, pls. 1-5, 7, 9-12, 14-17, 19, 21, 22 (£1400). Marilyn Pink Prints, April 79 cat., regular issue on wove, pls. 7, 13 ($500 each). CNY, 5 May 78, #177-180: pl. 7, proof on laid India (not sold); pl. 7, proof on French paper ($396); pl. 17, proof on French paper ($440); pl. 18, proof on French paper ($407). Associated American Artists, Oct. 79 cat., #12-16: proofs on laid India, pls. 1, 4 ($900 each); regular issue, pls. 13, 14, illus. ($750 each); pl. 18, proof on laid India ($750). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #14, pl. 12, late issue on laid India, stained (£100). Sotheby Los Angeles, 5 Feb. 79, #63, proof on laid India of pl. 16 and regular issue of pl. 21 with central design cut out and pasted to border, both soiled ($450). Marilyn Pink Prints, May 79 cat., #31, regular issue on wove, pl. 13 ($500). Weston Gallery, March 79 cat. 2, #3, pl. 16, proof on French paper, illus. ($900); June 78 cat. 4, #3, pl. 19, proof on French paper, illus. ($740). SNY, 3 May 78, #4A, pl. 21, proof on wove paper ($400). CL, 4 July 79, #174, pl. 21, late printing on laid India (£180).
Lavater, Essays on Physiognomy. Edwin Epps, Dec. 78 list, #2, pl. 3 only ($50); Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #9, same pl. ($50).
“Man Sweeping the Interpreter’s Parlour,” 2nd st. From the collections of Greville Macdonald, Ruthven Todd, and David Tunick. CL, 4 July 79, #173 illus. (Baskett & Day for Paul Mellon, £3200). Now at the Yale Center for British Art. Previously offered in Tunick’s 1977 cat. 9 for $7500.
“Mrs. Q.,” after Villiers. SB, 15 Dec. 78, #61, with another stipple print in colors (£90).
Novelist’s Magazine, vol. IX, “Sentimental Journey.” Edwin Epps, Dec. 78 list, #3, pl. 1 only ($25).
Seally & Lyons, Geographical Dictionary. D. Heald, private offer Aug. 79, pl. 1, “Lyons,” only ($60).
Shakespeare, Plays of, 1805 ed. illus. by Fuseli. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #10, pl. 1, “Queen Katherine’s Dream,” only ($200).
Stedman, Narrative. Edwin Epps, Dec. 78 list, #4a, b, pls. 3 and 6 only ($50 each). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #11a-c: pl. 1 ($40); pl. 7 ($40); pl. 8 ($70).
Virgil, Blake’s wood engraved illustrations to. Colnaghi, May 78 cat., complete cuts from Thornton’s vol. ($3200). Weston Gallery, Oct. 78 cat. 9, #4, complete cuts from Thornton’s vol., nine pls. illus. ($3300). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #121, complete cuts “published by J. Linnell, 1821” (?) (£1100). SL, 21 Feb. 78, #166, two unidentified cuts on laid India (£75). Weston Gallery, Sept. 78 cat. 7, #4, one cut, “The Traveller,” only, printed on wove by Linnell, illus. (£230). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #12a, leaf from Thornton’s vol. with three cuts after Blake ($40); #12b, cut 12 only, “Colinet,” the third design on p. 15 from Thornton’s vol. ($125).
Wit’s Magazine. Associated American Artists, Oct. 79 cat., #10-11, pls. 4 and 6 only ($90 each).
BOOKS WITH ENGRAVINGS BY BLAKE
Ariosto, Orlando Furioso. SH, 13 July 78, #75, 1799 ed. (Iowa Univ., £35). SL, 11 Dec. 78, #5, 1799 ed. with Dodsley, Collection of Old Plays, 13 vols. (G. Jeffery, £95). Lawson, May 79 cat. 195, #234, 1785 ed. (£20). R. & J. Balding, June 79 cat. 62, 1799 ed. (£100); Nov. 79 cat. 66 (£100). Henry Sotheran, July 79 cat. 967, 1799 ed. (£68). Ravenstree Books, Oct. 79 cat. 53, 1783 ed. ($450). Woodspurge Books, Feb. 80 list 80-3, #33, and special list March 80, 1799 ed. ($280).
Blair, The Grave, 1808 folio first ed. Deighton Bell, Nov. 78 cat. 213, #801, Dec. 79 cat. 215, #91, with pls. 8 and 9 in the second (quarto) state (£400). David O’Neal, July 79 cat. 27, described as a folio but perhaps a quarto ($550).
Blair, The Grave, 1808 quarto first ed. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #25 ($650). SNY, 12 April 78, #15, subscriber’s copy uncut in original boards with cover label ($1400). Hertung & Carl auction, Munich, 1 June 78, #4214 (minimum bid DM 1600). SH, 13 July 78, #149 (Gilbert, £270). SH, 27 Oct. 79, #349 (Thorp, £220). SNY, 28 Nov. 78, #198, original boards rebacked, cover label (price not available, estimate $400-600). W. Thomas Taylor, Nov. 78 cat., #2, some foxing ($475). Thomas Thorp, March 79 cat. 423, #432 (£350). Gerda Bassenge auction, April 79 cat. 33 (estimate DM 2800). Duschnes, May 79 cat. 225, #15, original boards uncut, cover label ($850). SH, 7 June 79, #485, some spotting (Swales, £170). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #2, Special list March 80, original boards detached, cover label, uncut ($1150, $925). Bernard Rosenthal, private begin page 11 | ↑ back to top
Blair, The Grave, 1813 folio. Murdoch Mactaggart, cat. 23, described as the “proof” (?) ed. of 1813, with pls. 8 and 9 in “quarto” (?) (£200).
Blair, The Grave, 1813 quarto. Heritage Books, fall 78 cat. 6, #17, illus. ($375). SH, 7 June 79, #486, cover loose, some spotting (B. L. Davidson, £100). Swann, 26 July 79, cover detached, title backed and perhaps supplied from another copy ($140). CL, 10 Oct. 79, #415, minor stains (£50). SH, 26 Oct. 79, #430, with most pls. dated 1808 (and thus a remainder issue?), covers detached (Carnegie, £100). Heritage Books, private offer Dec. 79, lacking frontis. and 3 other pls. ($150).
Blair, The Grave, “1813” (i.e., 1870) small paper folio. Trebizond Books, March 78 cat. 8, #25, Oct. 79 cat. 12, #18, listed as an “1813 large folio” but actually the 1870 issue ($375). Edwin Epps, May 78 list, #1 ($180). Deval & Muir, April 79 cat. 51 ($315). Swann, 21 June 79, #49, pls. only in original portfolio ($275). Sanders, Nov. 79 cat. 95, #71, original cloth (£95).
Bryant, New System . . . of Ancient Mythology. Sevin Seydi, cat. “Acorn” Jan. 78, #127 ($280). Sotheby, at the Signet Library, Edinburgh, 14 April 78, #1384, 2nd ed., with 2 other vols. (Schors, £220). Lawson, May 78 cat. 193, #128, 1st ed. (£32). Edwin Epps, Oct. 78 list, 1st ed., binding worn, bound with Bryant’s Vindication of the Apamean Medal ($150). David O’Neal, March 79 cat. 26, 1st ed. ($100). Atlantis Bookshop, May 79 cat., 2nd ed. (£75). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #5, 1st ed., binding repaired with tape ($250). Beeleigh Abbey Books, Oct. 79 cat. BA31, 2nd ed. (£120). CNY, 26 Nov. 79, #185, 1st ed. ($60). Deighton Bell, Dec. 79 cat. 215, #155, 2nd ed. (£150).
Burger, Leonora. McDowell & Stern, June 79 cat. 17, #845 (£360).
Chaucer, Poetical Works, 1782. SL, 1 Aug. 78, #1, in Bell’s ed. of The Poets of Great Britain, 106 (of 109) vols., 1777-82 (J. Booth, £150). Many copies of Bell’s ed. do not contain Blake’s pl.; we do not know if it is present in this copy.
Cumberland, Thoughts on Outline. Quaritch, March 78 cat. 983, #296, May 78 cat. 985, #27, original boards rebacked ($250).
Darwin, The Botanic Garden. Jeremy Norman & Co., 78 cat. 4, #277, 1st ed. ($450). Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #24, 1st ed., foxed ($375). R. & J. Balding, June 78 cat. 53, #124, 3rd ed. (£325); Nov. 79 cat. 66 (£325). George’s, Sept. 78 cat. 637, #386, 4th ed., vol. 2 incomplete, ending at p. 280 (£25). Randall & Windle, Oct. 78 cat. 6, #99, 1st ed., pls. browned ($350). Swann, 8 Feb. 79, 3rd ed., dampstained ($210). Bow Windows Bookshop, March 79 cat. 79, #238, 2nd ed. (£220). CL, 14 March 79, #116, 1st ed. (Baillie, £50). B. & L. Rootenberg, June 79 cat. 2, #64, 2nd ed. ($300). SH, 6 June 79, #17, 4th ed. (Thorp, £62).
Earle, Practical Observations on the Operation of the Stone, 1793. Swann, 1 Nov. 79, #691 (Trebizond Books for Bennett & Marshall for UCLA Biomedical Library, $90).
Enfield, The Speaker, 6th ed., 1781. Peter Murray Hill, Dec. 79 cat. 151, #85 (£20).
Flaxman, Hesiod, 1817. Zeitlin & Ver Brugge, Sept. 78 cat. 246, #6, in half morocco slipcase ($1175); I can find no reason for this incredibly high price. Walford, Sept. 78 cat. HM/100, #145 (£110). SL, 3 Oct. 78, #45, with Iliad & Odyssey, all but last in original boards (Felix Pryor, £120). W. & V. Dailey, Fall 78 cat. 10, #163, bound with Iliad & Odyssey, 1805, minor foxing ($300). Phillips auction, N. Y., 7 March 79, with Aeschylus, 1831 ($160). SH, 22 March 79, #341, with Iliad, both bindings damaged, lacking half-title to Hesiod (Ayres, £35). Marlborough Books, May 79 cat. 84, #21 (£150). Gerda Bassenge auction, 8-10 Nov. 79 cat. 34, original boards (estimate DM 800).
Flaxman, Iliad, 1805. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985, #28 ($125). Edwin Epps, 12 May 78 List, #2, covers detached ($110). Duschnes, Sept. 78 cat. 222, #35, some foxing ($225). Walford, Sept. 78 cat. HM/100, #136, with Odyssey, 1805, both original boards, pls. spotted (£80). CL, 25 Oct. 78, #383, with Odyssey, 1805, both original boards (Lowe, £30). Phillips N. Y. auction, 7 March 79, with Odyssey, boards, foxed ($110). Marlborough Books, May 79 cat. 84, #22, with Odyssey (£95). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #147 ($200).
Gay, Fables, 1793. CL, 15 Feb. 78, #179 (Taylor, £45). Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985, #30, 1st ed. ($400). CL, 25 Oct. 78, #291 (Chelsea Books, £70). Argosy Books, Nov. 78 list, #6, 1st ed. ($300). Appelfeld Gallery, Dec. 78 cat. 27, #127, fine leather binding ($275). SL, 19 Feb. 79, #54, very worn (Ant. G. Gelbert, £70). Bernard Rosenthal, 79 bulletin 22, morocco binding ($485). Sanders, March 79 cat. 93, #50, 1st ed. (£150). SNY, 23 May 79, #32, with Aesop, Fables, 1793, illus. ($700). Blackwell’s, May 79 cat. A1128 (£145). SH, 7 June 79, #484, damaged, stained (not sold). Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #14, with Aesop, Fables, 1793 ($875). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #6, 1st ed. ($500); special list March 80 ($395). CL, 28 Nov. 79, #176 (Denniston, £70). SNY, 27 Nov. 79, #105, with Aesop, Fables, 1793 ($650); #106, with Aesop, Fables, 1793 ($650). Lawson, Feb. 80 cat. 198, #95, 1st ed. (£135).
Gough, Sepulchral Monuments. Walford, Sept. 78 cat. HM/100, #282, bound in 5 vols. (£190). SL, 30 July 79, #62, bound in 5 vols., covers detached (Quaritch, £190).
Hartley, Observations on Man. Sevin Seydi, Jan. 78 cat. “Acorn,” #162 ($300).
Hayley, Ballads, 1805. Lawson, Nov. 78 cat. 194, #158 (£165).
Hayley, Essay on Sculpture, 1800. Swann, 21 June 79 ($130). Duschnes, Jan. 80 cat. 227, #32 ($250).
begin page 13 | ↑ back to topHayley, Life of Cowper, 3 vols. unless noted otherwise. Trebizond Books, Sept. 78 cat. 9, #57, 1st ed. lacking half-titles ($325). Blackwell’s, winter 78-9 cat. A1117, #263, 1st ed., 4 vols., some foxing (£75). Octodecimo Books, March 79 cat. 27, 1st ed., 2 vols. (incomplete?) (£65). SH, 24 May 79, #191, 1st ed. with Cowper, Poems, 1798 (Rose, £20). Eric & Joan Stevens, June 79 list 6/79, 2nd ed. (£65). Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #16, 1st ed. ($400). Sotheby’s Edinburgh, 27 Sept. 79, #178, 1st ed. with Narrative of the Life of Cowper (D. Balfour, £28). Woodspurge Books, special list March 80, 2nd ed. ($400).
Hayley, Life of Romney. Quaritch, March 78 cat. 983, #299 ($375). Sterling Books, June 78 cat. 38, #222 (£45). Heritage Books, fall 78 cat. 6, #145 ($125). Blackwell’s, Jan. 80 cat. A1141, #347 (£85).
Hayley, Triumphs of Temper, 12th ed., 1803. Quaritch, March 78 cat. 983, #300; May 78 cat. 985, #32 ($475). Swann, 4 May 78, #39 ($170). R. & J. Balding, June 78 cat. 53, #131, lacking half-title, morocco binding (£175). Lawson, Nov. 78 cat. 194, #159 (£125). Brentano’s, Jan. 79 cat., #8, lacking half-title, some foxing ($300). SNY, 23 May 79, #33 ($225). Peter Murray Hill, June 79 cat. 149, #112 (£105). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #8, binding damaged, some waterstaining ($175). Ximenes Books, Nov. 79 cat. 52, tall copy, three portraits of Hayley added, Robert Hoe copy ($1250). Lawson, Feb. 80 cat. 198, #96 (£125).
Hogarth, Works, issues supposed to contain Blake’s plate. SL, 24 April 78, #194, Baldwin & Cradock issue, n.d. (Belmonte, £500). SL, 10 May 78, #266, Baldwin & Crodock, n.d. (not sold). SL, 10 May 78, #227, 1822 issue (M. Ayres, £250). SB, 29 Sept. 78, #94, 1822 issue (£320); #96, Boydell issue, 1790 (£600). SL, 3 Oct. 78, #452, Baldwin & Cradock, damaged (Collector’s Treasures, £400); #453, 1822 issue, damaged (Collector’s Treasures, £350). Randall & Windle, Oct. 78 cat. 6, #153, 1822 issue ($2000). SB, 15 Dec. 78, #77, 1822 issue (£410). SL, 30 Jan. 79, #261, 1822 issue (Mellen, £650); #262, 1822 issue, foxed, binding damaged (Lester, £150). SL, 26 March 79, #133, Baldwin & Cradock (Lester, £340). SL, 14 May 79, #347, Baldwin & Cradock, spotted (C. W. Traylen, £320). CL, 30 May 79, #198, 1822 issue, damaged (Elliott, £250). Marlborough Books, May 79 cat. 84, #37, 1822 issue (£500). CL, 25 July 79, #68, 1822 issue (Ayres, £270); #125, Baldwin & Cradock (Nagel, £280). SB, 27 July 79, #314, Boydell ed., n.d., damaged (£120). CNY, 26 Nov. 79, #319, 1822 issue ($500).
Hunter, Historical Journal, quarto issue, 1793. CL, 26 April 78, #98 (Bannerman, £420). CL, 10 May 78, #149 (Maggs, £280). Dawson Pall Mall, May 78 cat. 270, #229 (£850). CL, 11 Oct. 78, #176, lacking one pl. not by Blake (Hudson, £300). Swann, 19 Oct. 78, #109 ($1100). SL, 30 Jan. 79, #234, some foxing, binding damaged (Harris, £260). CL, 7 Feb. 79, #121 (Lawson, £440); same copy, Lawson, Nov. 79 cat. 197, #295 (£750).
Josephus, Works. SL, 19 Feb. 79, #50, probably the 4th issue with Blake’s pls., with 7 other vols. (Sutton Courtney, £75). Sanders, April 78 cat. 90, probably 4th issue (£80); same copy, March 79 cat. 93, #231 (£80). Sterling Books, Jan. 80 cat. 42, probably 5th issue (£40).
Lavater, Essays on Physiognomy, 1789-98 issue unless noted otherwise. SL, 6 March 78, #174, with Physiognomical Sketches, c. 1802, bindings worn (Quaritch, £130); same copy?, Randall & Windle, Oct. 78 cat. 6, #175 illus. ($850). SL, 1 Aug. 78, #119, worn, covers detached (W. F. Hammond, £95); #120, wanting 2 pls., worn, with Physiognomical Sketches (Blundell, £70). CL, 25 Oct. 78, #300, covers detached (Sulty, £75). SL, 11 Dec. 78, #237 (Dawson, £170). M. & S. Books, June 79 cat. 23, #812 ($750). SL, 3 Dec. 79, #95, original boards uncut (Robinson, £400). Beeleigh Abbey Books, March 79 cat. BA30, 1792 issue (£160).
Malkin, A Father’s Memoirs. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #58 ($400).
Olivier, Fencing Familiarized. Maggs, autumn 78 cat. 196, #986 (£100). Swann, 7 June 79, #103 ($140). CL, 25 July 79, #138, worn (Davidson, £85).
Rees, Cyclopaedia, first ed. Walford, May 78 list A/264, #214, pls. vol. 4 only, disbound (£30); #217, complete in 45 vols. (£530); Aug. 78 cat. A/268, #25, pls. vol. 1 only (£48); #26, pls. vol. 3 only (£48). Sotheby Edinburgh, 8 March 79, #201, complete in 45 vols., worn, from the Signet Library (B. Weinreb, £260).
Remember Me!, 1824. McDowell & Stern, Dec. 79 cat. 19, original printed boards (£40). The best buy of 1978-79.
Ritson, Select Collection of English Songs. Edwin Epps, 12 May 78 list, #3, binding worn, bookplate and signature of Barron Field ($230). Swann, 21 Sept. 78, #195, binding shabby, foxed ($130). SL, 11 Dec. 78, #63, with 25 other Ritson works (Blackwell, £380); #111, lacking 3 signatures, with 2 other vols. (R. V. Elliott, £20).
Salzmann, Elements of Morality, 1791 ed. SH, 24 Nov. 78, #425, 41 pls. only, some stained (Ayres, £42). Beeleigh Abbey Books, March 79 cat. BA30 (£280).
Scott, Poetical Works, 1st ed., 1782, unless noted otherwise. Jarndyce Books, May 78 cat. 16, #188, 2nd ed., 1786 (£58). David Bickersteth, Nov. 78 cat. 54, #100 (£78). Maggs, June 79 cat. 994, #2774, original boards uncut (£350). Eric & Joan Stevens, Oct. 79 cat. 91, #67, lacking one pl. not by Blake (£38). SL, 22 Oct. 79, #203, some dampstains, disbound (Quaritch, £50). Edwin Epps, special list 79-2, Nov. 79, #1, cover detached ($250); #2, missing one pl. not by Blake, uncut ($210); same copies, Woodspurge Books, March 80 special list ($185, $165).
Shakespeare, Dramatic Works, Boydell ed., 9 vols., 1802. Swann, 30 Nov. 78, #55 ($350).
Shakespeare, Plays of, ed. Chalmers, 10 vols., 1805. Sanders, March 79 cat. 93, #386 (£120).
begin page 14 | ↑ back to topStedman, Narrative. Beeleigh Abbey Books, Oct. 78 cat. 29, #312, 1st ed. (£550). Swann, 6 Oct. 78, #707, 3rd ed. ($325). CL, 7 Feb. 79, #61, 2nd ed. (Maggs, £250). SL, 26 March 79, #162, 1st ed., worn and spotted (Elliott, £90). CNY, 20 April 79, #103, 2nd ed. ($320). Jenkins Co., June 79 cat. 119, #596, 2nd ed. ($300). Frank Hammond, Oct. 79 cat. 214, #86, pls. hand colored skillfully, 1st ed. (£1200).
Stuart & Revett, Antiquities of Athens, 4 vols., 1762-1816. CL, 15 Nov. 78, #266, with supplementary vol. of 1830 (Gibbons, £2800); same copy, Stanley Gibbons, 79 cat. 1 (£4650). SL, 19 Dec. 78, #449, first 3 vols. only, worn and stained (Finopoulos, £90). SL, 12 March 79, #222, first 3 vols. only, worn (Finopoulos, £600). Marlborough Rare Books, Dec. 79 cat. 85, #341 (£3000). SH, 13 Dec. 79, #162, first 3 vols. only, worn, some pls. inserted from a later ed. (A. Nicola, £120).
Vetusta Monumenta. Marlborough Books, May 79 cat. 84, #449, 6 vols. bound in 5, 1747-1868 (£300). SL, 3 Dec. 79, #420, 4 vols., worn and foxed (not sold).
Wit’s Magazine. SNY, 12 April 78, #16, 2 vols., 1784-85 ($550); same copy, Ximenes Books, occasional list 48, June 78, #363 ($1000). Black Sun Books, June 79 cat. 54, #10, 17 issues in one vol. ($1000).
Wollstonecraft, Original Stories, 1791 ed. Maggs, June 79 cat. 994, #3489, frontis. and pl. 1 in 3rd state, pls. 2-5 second state (£250).
Young, Night Thoughts, colored. The copy sold CNY, 18 Nov. 77, #110 ($18,150), previously noted in Blake/An Illustrated Quarterly, 12 (1978), 35, has been sold by Laurence Witten to the New York dealer Justin G. Schiller, who in turn has sold it to a private collector in Europe.
Young, Night Thoughts, uncolored. Swann, 4 May 78, #38, uncut, with explanation leaf ($1500). SH, 13 July 78, #148, lacking explanation leaf, 6 pls. trimmed, p. 48 illus. (A. G. Thomas, £1050). Zeitlin & Ver Brugge, Sept. 78 cat. 246, #7, lacking explanation leaf, disbound and with each leaf mounted in a paper frame, leather portfolio, title-page to Night the Third illus. ($2400); this is the copy reproduced in Easson and Essick, William Blake: Book Illustrator, vol. 1; Essick and La Belle, Young’s Night Thoughts Illustrated by Blake (Dover); and in the forthcoming Clarendon Press ed. of the complete designs. Swann, 19 Oct. 78, #30, with explanation leaf, some foxing, some pls. cropped ($1900). Alan Thomas, Nov. 78 cat. 38, #34, lacking explanation leaf, a few pls. trimmed (£1750); apparently the copy bought by Thomas, SH, 13 July 78 (see above). Brentano’s, Jan. 79 cat., #7, gray boards, rebacked, uncut, apparently with explanation leaf ($3500). SH, 21 March 79, #224, with explanation leaf, some borders trimmed, all but one imprint present, binding damaged, tears and stains (not sold); #225, torn, repaired with tissue overlays, stained, trimmed (Ayres, £75). CNY, 20 April 79, #11, with explanation leaf, binding damaged, some tears and soiling (not sold). SNY, 23 May 79, #34, with explanation leaf tipped in (from another copy?), some foxing, with bookplate of C. W. Dyson Perrins (Duschnes, $1600); same copy, Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #15 ($2500). Drouot Hotel Rive Gauche auction, 25 June 79, with explanation leaf (estimate FFR 25,000). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #8, explanation leaf laid in, title-page to Night the Third illus. ($2000).
BLAKE’S CIRCLE AND FOLLOWERS
Note: Materials are listed in the following order under artist’s name: paintings and drawings, manuscripts and letters, separate prints, books of prints, books about the artist.
Basire, James. Charles Rogers, A Collection of Prints in Imitation of Drawings, 2 vols., 1778. SL, 1 Aug. 78, #239 (T. J. Symonds, £550).
Calvert, Edward. Complete graphics, from the Carfax printing, Agnew, May 79 cat., #76-86: “Ploughman” (£300), “Flood” (£200), “Chamber Idyll” (£275), “Return Home” (£180); “Bride” (£300), “Sheep of His Pasture” (£200), “Brook” (£250), “Lady with Rooks” (£180), “Cyder Feast” (£275), “Ideal Pastoral Life” (£200).
“The Bride.” Weston Gallery, Oct. 78 cat. 9, #6, 3rd st. from the Memoir, illus. ($895). SL, 26 April 78, #169, 3rd st., illus. (£200). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #49, 3rd st., perhaps pulled prior to the Carfax issue, illus. (£160). SL, 28 June 79, #2, 3rd st. from the Memoir (not sold).
“The Brook.” Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 3rd st. ($475). Weston Gallery, March 79 cat. 2, #4, 3rd st. from Memoir, illus. ($490).
“The Chamber Idyll.” SL, 5 Oct. 78, #24, 2nd st., trimmed slightly into image (£110). CL, 6 Feb. 79, 2nd st., on blue tinted paper (£190). SL, 8 Feb. 79, #219A, 3rd st., with “The Return Home,” both on laid India from Carfax issue (£210). Weston Gallery, Oct. 79 cat. 9, #5, 3rd st. from Memoir, illus. ($965).
“The Cyder Feast,” 3rd st. Weston Gallery, April 78 cat. 3, #2, from Memoir, illus. ($708). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #48, perhaps pulled prior to Carfax issue, foxed (£95).
“Lady and the Rooks,” 3rd st. Colnaghi, May 78 cat. ($475). Associated American Artists, Oct. 79 cat., #43, from Memoir ($500).
“The Ploughman,” 3rd st. Colnaghi, May 78 cat. ($650). SL, 5 Oct. 78, #22, trimmed close, creased (£70). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #47, perhaps pulled prior to Carfax issue, foxed (£75). Associated American Artists, Oct. 79 cat., #42, from Memoir, illus. ($750).
“The Return Home,” 2nd st. Colnaghi, May 78 cat. ($475).
“The Sheep of His Pasture,” 2nd st. Colnaghi, May 78 cat. ($475). SL, 5 Oct. 78, #23, with “The Brook,” 2nd st., both with creases (£70).
Memoir of Calvert, 1893. SH, 21 March 79, #252, “The Bride” illus. (O. R. Sadler, £1150).
Flaxman, John. “Adoration of the Magi,” a design for a bas relief, pencil, pen and gray wash, from the Denman sale of 1876, 27 × 44 cm. SL, 22 Nov. 79, #142 illus. (£2300). A very beautiful drawing; possibly a record price for a drawing by Flaxman, at least at auction.
begin page 15 | ↑ back to top“Athena before Pandora,” wash drawing, 32 × 50 cm. Galerie Arnoldi-Livie, Munich, June 77 cat., #13, illus. (DM 8,500). Not one of the engraved Hesiod designs, but perhaps the same subject as pl. 3, “Pandora Gifted.”
“The Damned Fleeing from the Infant Christ,” pencil and water color, 8 7/8 × 7 1/4 in. CL, 14 March 78, #35 (£350).
“The Departure,” pencil, ink, and washes, 44 × 39 cm. SL, 18 Oct. 79, #20 (estimate £30-40, no price available).
Design for a frieze of dancers, a battle, a harvest, etc. Pencil, ink, and washes, 176.5 × 18 cm. SL, 22 March 79, #133 (£320).
Design for a statue base, pencil, 22.2 × 18.5 cm., watermarked 1819. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #65 ($160).
“Giving Alms,” “Mother and Two Children,” both small, the first signed, pen and ink; and a water color view of Italy inscribed 1790. CL, 13 Nov. 79, #19 (£100).
“The Lake of Nemi,” attributed to Flaxman and Mrs. Hare Naylor, watercolor, 20 1/2 × 29 1/2 in. CL, 19 June 79, #96 illus. (£450).
Sheet of studies of an orator, pencil, signed or inscribed, 12 3/8 × 7 1/2 in.; small drawing of E. W. Cooke; and another pencil study. CL, 13 Nov. 79, #76 (£110).
“Sisterly Advice,” ink and wash, 34 × 24 cm. SL, 22 March 79, #126 (not sold).
“Slay-good,” pencil and ink sketch, sheet 5.8 × 16.4 cm. Private offer, Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 ($175). SEE ILLUS. 5.
“Young Man, with a child on his shoulders, holding a little girl at his left hand.” Wash drawing, 16 × 4.8 cm. Galerie Arnoldi-Livie, Munich, June 77 cat., #12 illus. (DM 4700).
“Young Man with a child on his shoulders.” Pen and wash drawing, 16.6 × 9.7 cm. Galerie Arnoldi-Livie, Munich, June 77 cat., #11 illus. (DM 4,300). Although the child is not winged and he sits on the man’s shoulders, the figures strongly remind one of the frontispiece to Songs of Experience. The man strides forward with eyes fixed on the viewer or slightly above, much as in Blake’s etching.
Autograph letter signed, about sculptural designs for Buckingham Palace, n.p., n.d. (c. 1826). SL, 17 Dec. 79, #93 (R. Stanley-Morgan, £120).
Aeschylus illustrations, 1795. Walford, Sept. 78 cat. HM/100, #149 (£40). Marlborough Books, May 79 cat. 84, #20 (£35). Swann, 7 June 79, #106, foxed ($80).
Dante illustrations, London 1807 ed. unless noted otherwise. William Duck, Feb. 78 cat. 26, #310, spotted (£40). Walford, May 78 list A/264, #270 (£48). Swann, 30 Nov. 78, #139, Rome 1802 ed. ($200). David Bickersteth, Feb. 79 cat. 55, #165, German ed., pls. engraved by “Hummel,” n.d. (£55). Marlborough Books, May 79 cat. 84, #19 (£60). SH, 26 Oct. 79, #468, spotted (Ayres, £40).
Odyssey illustrations, 1805. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #66 ($65).
See also Flaxman in the section of books with Blake’s illustrations.
Fuseli, Henry. “Dr. James Paying a Bill,” ink and water color, 29 × 21 cm. SL, 30 Nov. 78, #208 illus. (£3400).
“Head of Satan,” oil on paper, 51.5 × 32.5 cm. SL, 21 Nov. 79, #22 illus. (not sold; estimate £4-6000). The design is not related to Blake’s engraving of a head of Satan or one of the damned after Fuseli. Male nude recoiling, pen and brown ink, c. 1795, 7 5/8 × 5 1/4 in. CL, 20 Nov. 79, #16 illus. (£700).
“Martha Hess as Silence,” pencil and chalk (recto); two figures, pencil (verso). Sheet 54.5 × 33 cm., c. 1780-90. SL, 30 Nov. 78, #74, recto illus. color (£21,000).
“St. John’s Vision,” engraved by J. Thomson, 1797, for Macklin’s Bible. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #68 ($80).
“William Tell,” engraved by C. Guttenberg, Paris, n.d. SB, 21 July 78, #77, with 4 other unnamed prints, all with minor damage (£10).
“Woman by a Window,” lithograph, c. 1803. Weston Gallery, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #16 illus. ($920).
Linnell, John, Seventy-three drawings and water colors in 14 lots, 4 illus., SL, 30 Nov. 78, #1-14. The most important are #5, The River Lea, dated 1814, 34 × 54 cm., illus. (£1550); #7, three land-scapes, dated 1815 and 1819 (£1200); #8, eight tree studies, dated 1814-1847, one illus. (£660); and #10, six views in Wales, all dated 1813 (£1700).
“Derbyshire,” water color, signed, 4 × 5 3/8 in. CL, 18 Dec. 79, #55 (£120).
“From Battersea Pier,” water color signed, 11 5/8 × 8 5/8 in., from the collection of William Beckford. CL, 29 Jan. 80, #68 (£140).
“Gypsies in Redstone Lane Dell,” pencil and chalk, inscribed 1850, 10 3/8 × 12 3/4 in. CL, 19 Sept. 78, #92 (£50).
“Harvesting Time, Redhill,” water color, dated 1862, 19 × 29 cm. SL, 16 Mar. 78, #82 illus. (£550).
“Harvest Scene—Stacking Barley near Witley, Surrey,” water color, signed and dated 1863, 22 × 53.5 cm. SL, 22 Nov. 79, #176 illus. (£850).
“Jeanie Deans and Madge Wildfire in the Churchyard,” oil, signed and dated 1835, 28 × 37.5 cm. SL, 21 Nov. 79, #30 illus. (not sold; estimate £6-800).
Landscape near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, water color, signed, 9.2 × 12.1 cm. Agnew, Jan. 79 exhibition cat., #125 (£200).
Mother and child, pencil, signed, 19.5 × 16 cm. SL, 27 July 78, #164 (£65).
“Mountain Shepherds,” pencil and ink, signed and dated 1870, 22.5 × 31 cm. SL, 27 July 78, #165 (£160).
Portrait of W. Williams, water color, dated 1814, with a portrait of Mr. Palmer, father of Samuel, on the verso, 14.5 × 11 cm. SL, 30 Nov. 78, #66 illus. (£400).
“River Lea Hertfordshire,” water color, signed and dated 1814, 34.3 × 54 cm. Colnaghi, Nov. 79 cat., #58 illus. (£3000). For Colnaghi’s purchase of this drawing at auction, see first Linnell entry.
“Southampton Wall,” pencil, inscribed 1814, 10 1/4 × 15 in. CL, 19 Sept. 78, #91 (£80). In 1969, this drawing sold at auction for £187.
“Woodcutters,” oil, c. 1838, 60.5 × 47.5 cm. Galerie Arnoldi-Livie, Munich, June 77 cat., #26 illus. (DM 18,000).
Landscape with sheep, etching, 1818. SL, 28 June 79, #49 (£1). Associated American Artists, Oct. 79 cat., #110 illus. ($350).
“Rev. T. R. Malthus,” mezzotint, 1834. SL, 27 Nov. 79, #605 (£20).
“Robert Gooch,” engraving, 1831, proof before title. begin page 16 | ↑ back to top
Two views in Norway, Incorrectly described as views in the Lake District in the sale, etchings from one plate. SL, 28 June 79, #47 (£40).
“Woodcutters at Rest,” etching, 1818. SL, 28 June 79, #48 (£20).
Palmer, Samuel. “Backways, Tintagel,” water color, c. 1835, 19 × 27.3 cm., from the A. N. S. Burnett collection. Galerie Arnoldi-Livie, Munich, June 77 cat., #28 illus. (DM 13,500).
“Bay of Baiae from Monte Nuovo,” water color, 14.5 × 40 cm. SL, 16 March 78, #132 illus. color (£3200).
“Caernarvon Castle,” water color, c. 1837, 11 1/4 × 16 7/8 in. CL, 19 June 79, #184 illus. (£5000).
“Eventide,” water color, dated 1841, 19 × 40 cm. SL, 30 Nov. 78, #198 illus. color (not sold).
“From Hurstmonceaux Park, Sussex,” bistre over pencil, signed, 1821, 19 × 27 cm. SL, 22 Nov. 79, #172 illus. (£480).
“From Richmond Hill, Surrey,” bistre over pencil, signed, 1821, 19 × 26.5 cm. SL, 22 Nov. 79, #173 illus. (£950).
“Harlech Castle at Sunset,” water color, 36.8 × 44.5 cm. Agnew, Jan. 79 exhibition cat., #130 (£6500).
“A Mountain Road in Italy,” water color, c. 1839, 11 3/4 × 17 7/8 in. CL, 20 Nov. 79, #155 illus. color (£5500).
“Shanklin Church, Isle of Wight,” pencil study of, extensively inscribed, c. 1845, 7 3/8 × 9 in. CL, 20 March 79, #175 (£80).
“View from the North Downs, near Sevenoaks,” water color, 24 × 35.5 cm., inscribed by George Richmond. Galerie Arnoldi-Livie, Munich, June 77 cat., #27 illus. (DM 42,000).
“The Bellman,” etching. SB, 2 Dec. 77, #22, 6th st. (£340). SL, 26 April 78, #197, 5th st., pencil signature, from George Richmond’s collection, illus. (£700). SL, 26 May 78, #238, 7th st. (£620). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 5th st., pencil signature ($2760). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #233, 5th st., pencil signature, slight foxing, illus. (£1900). CL, 27 June 79, #99, 5th st., pencil signature, printed 1879, illus. (£2200). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #133, 5th st., pencil signature, illus. (£1500).
“Christmas; or Folding the Last Sheep,” etching. SB, 2 Dec. 77, #19, 2nd st., illus. (£380). SL, 26 April 78, #194, 3rd st., pencil signature, from George Richmond’s collection (£300). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 2nd st., trial proof ($1295); 3rd st., trial proof with annotations ($1760); 4th st. ($700); 5th st. ($665). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #229, 5th st., printed 1926, stained (£130). Craddock & Barnard, Aug. 79 cat. 139, #271, 5th st. (£290). Associated American Artists, Oct. 79 cat., #152, 4th st. ($375). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #125, 2nd or 3rd st., pencil signature, illus. (£900).
“Cypress Grove,” etching. Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 2nd st., two impressions ($320 each); 3rd st. ($415). SL, 28 June 79, #234, 1st st. (£100).
“Early Ploughman,” etching. SB, 2 Dec. 77, #17, 8th st. (£110); #18, 7th st. (£140). SL, 21 Feb. 78, #348, 4th st., with a print by Haden (£160); #349, 4th st. (£120). SL, 26 April 78, #198, 4th st., pencil signature, from George Richmond’s collection (£460). Yaneff Gallery, advertisement in Art News, Nov. 78, 7th st., signed ($850). SNY, 18 Jan. 79, #239, 8th st. ($200). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #231, 5th st., foxed and stained (£110); #232, 8th st., foxed (£120). SNY, 15 Feb. 79, #292, 8th st., foxed begin page 17 | ↑ back to top ($200). SL, 28 June 79, #225, 4th st., foxed (£80); #227, 3rd st. (not sold); #233, 4th st., with a print by Haden (£100). Craddock & Barnard, Aug. 79 cat. 139, #272, 6th st., pencil signature (£415); #273, 7th st. (£230). CNY, 28 Sept. 79, #317, 7th st., foxed ($240). CL, 9 Oct. 79, #227, 9th st. (£300). Associated American Artists, Oct. 79 cat., #154, 5th st. ($675). SL, 27 Nov. 79, #619, 3rd st., pencil signature (not sold). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #130, 7th or 8th st. (£100).
“Herdsman’s Cottage,” etching. SB, 2 Dec. 77, #14, 2nd st. (£80); #15, 2nd st. (£85); #16, 1st st., with pencil and pen additions to the image, illus. (£360). SL, 21 Feb. 78, #347, 2nd st. (£110); #350, 2nd st. (£80). SL, 26 April 78, #193, 1st st., on Japan paper, pencil signature, from George Richmond’s collection (not sold). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 1st st., trial proof ($1200); 2nd st. ($335). SL, 26 May 78, #239, 2nd st. (£110); #240, 2nd st. (£80). Craddock & Barnard, Aug. 78 cat. 137, #414, 2nd st., on thin Japan paper before Portfolio issue of 1872 (£125). SL, 5 Oct. 78, #138, 2nd st. (£90); #139, 2nd st. (£75). CL, 27 June 79, #96, 1st st., pencil signature (£420). CL, 9 Oct. 79, #225, 2nd st., pencil signature (£170); #226, 2nd st. (£170). Weston Gallery, Oct. 79 cat. 9, #33, 1st st., proof, pencil signature, illus. ($1720). Associated American Artists, Oct. 79 cat., #151, 2nd st. ($375) SL, 27 Nov. 79, #620, 2nd st. (£110); #662, 2nd st. (not sold). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #124, 1st st., slight staining (£190). SNY, 18 Dec. 79, #291, 2nd st., slight foxing ($175).
“Homeward Star,” etching. SB, 2 Dec. 77, #23, 3rd st. (£80). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 2nd st. ($320); 4th st. ($415).
“Lonely Tower,” etching. Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 6th st., ($2400). CL, 9 Oct. 79, #230, 6th st., pencil signature, illus. (£1200). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #134, 4th st., pencil signature and inscribed “trial proof,” illus. (£2600).
“Moeris and Galatea,” etching. Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 4th st. ($415). CL, 27 June 79, #100, 3rd st. (£120). SL, 28 June 79, #230, 2nd st., edges damaged (£140).
“Morning of Life,” etching. SB, 2 Dec. 77, #20, 6th st. (£120). SNY, 18 Jan. 78, #240, 7th st., some foxing ($200). SL, 26 May 78, #242, 5th st., pencil signature (£250); #243, 6th st. (£150). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 6th st. ($515). SNY, 15 Feb. 79, #293, 7th st., a “model proof” signed by printer, on laid India paper, illus. ($1200). Craddock & Barnard, Aug. 79 cat. 139, #274, 6th st. (£185). CL, 9 Oct. 79, #228, 7th st., minor defects (£150); #229, some defects (withdrawn). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #131, 6th st., pencil signature, illus. (£900); #132, 7th st., printed in brown ink (£600).
“Opening the Fold,” etching. Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 4th st. ($830); 8th st. ($610). Sotheby Los Angeles, 19 Sept. 78, #280, 4th st. ($450). Weston Gallery, Oct. 78 cat. 9, #34, 6th st., pencil signature, illus. ($985). Craddock & Barnard, Aug. 79 cat. 139, #275, 6th st. (£155). CL, 9 Oct. 79, #231, 10th st. (£240). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #135, 7th st. (£100).
“Rising Moon,” etching. SL, 26 April 78, #195, 2nd st., on laid India, trial proof with pencil signature, illus. (£500). SL, 26 May 78, #244, 7th st. (£160). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 7th st. ($590). SL, 1 Nov. 78, #191, 6th st., touched proof, pencil signature (£580). CL, 27 June 79, #97, 4th or 5th st., pencil signature, illus. (£550). SL, 28 June 79, #226, 6th st., proof touched along edge, illus. (£500); #232, 7th st., foxed (£200). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #128, 5th st., illus. (£850).
“Sepulchre,” etching. Craddock & Barnard, Aug. 78 cat. 137, #415, 2nd st. with letters (£80).
“Skylark,” etching. SB, 2 Dec. 77, #13, 4th st. with pencil additions (£380). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 5th st. ($1200); 7th st. ($555). SL, 28 June 79, #231, 7th st. (£200). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #123, 5th st. (£180).
“Sleeping Shepherd,” etching. SL, 26 April 78, #196, 4th st. on laid India (£300). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 1st st., trial proof signed ($1750); 4th st. ($640). SL, 27 Nov. 79, #617, 3rd st. (£320). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #127, 3rd st., some wear (£60).
“The Vine or Plumpy Bacchus,” etching. Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 1st st., signed ($600). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #126, 1st st. (£240).
“Weary Ploughman,” etching. Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 6th st. ($1200); 8th st. ($620). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #230, 8th st. on laid India, foxed (£100). CL, 27 June 79, #98, 4th st., pencil signature, minor defects, illus. (£480). Associated American Artists, Oct. 79 cat., #153, 8th st. on laid India, illus. ($675). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #129, 5th or 6th st., pencil signature (£600).
“Willow,” etching. SB, 2 Dec. 77, #12, 2nd st. (£100). SL, 21 Feb. 78, #346, 2nd st. (£95). SL, 26 May 78, #241, 1st st. on laid India (£210). Colnaghi, May 78 cat., 1st st., pencil signature ($1200); 1st st., laid India, touched with ink and china white ($1575); 2nd st., laid India ($445); 2nd st., machine made paper ($275), 2nd st., 1926 printing ($335). Craddock & Barnard, Aug. 78 cat. 137, #413, 2nd st. (£225); Aug. 79 cat. 139, #270, 2nd st. (£165). SL, 5 Oct. 78, #137A, 2nd st. (£110). CL, 9 Oct. 79, #224, 1st st., pencil signature and note on verso, illus. (£450). SL, 29 Nov. 79, #618, 2nd st. (£110). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #122, 2nd st., pencil signature, illus. (£320).
Eclogues of Virgil, etchings by Palmer. William Duck, Feb. 78 cat. 26, #331, 1883 ed. with verses on pls., illus. (£500). Paul Grinke, Feb. 78 cat. 15, #77, 1st ed. ($600). Quaritch, March 78 cat. 983, #229, 1st ed. ($1900). W. & V. Dailey, Sept. 78 cat. 10, #149, 1st ed., large paper ($1800). SNY, 28 June 78, #209, pls. only, with inscriptions ($350). SH, 14 July 78, #456, 1st ed. (A. G. Thomas, £340). SH, 27 Oct. 78, #500, 1st ed. (A. B. Horton, £340). SH, 27 Oct. 78, #500, 1st ed. (A. B. Horton, £330). Blackwell’s, Nov. 78 cat. A1119, 1st ed. (£400). CL, 6 Feb. 79, #228, 2nd ed. (£320). SH, 23 March 79, #516, 1st ed., worn binding, one pl. illus. (Baer, £280). SL, 28 June 79, #235, pls. only, with verses (£290). Blackwell’s, July 79 cat. A-1, #180, 1st ed., illus. (£650). SL, 23 Oct. 79, #322, 1st ed. (Davidson, £240). Alan Thomas, Nov. 78 cat. 38, #40, 1st ed. (£600). CL, 28 Nov. 79, #125, 1st ed. (Ayres, £260). CL, 5 Dec. 79, #136, the four pls. completed by A. H. Palmer, disbound (£450).
Life and Letters of Samuel Palmer, by A. H. Palmer, 1892. SL, 28 June 79, #229, binding damaged (£85). SH, 26 July 79, #174 (Janet, £100).
Richmond, George. Twelve drawings in Colnaghi’s Nov. 79 cat., #1-12. The most important, both illus., are a portrait of Welby Sherman, 15.9 × begin page 18 | ↑ back to top 13.1 cm. (£1500), and “Figure of Plague,” 33.3 × 21.6 cm. (£1500).
“Figure Weeping over a Grave,” pen and ink, dated 1829, 8 × 12.5 cm. SL, 16 March 78, #55 illus. (£550).
Good Samaritan helping his charge onto the donkey, pencil sketch, 33 × 21.5 cm., eight pen sketches of a man’s face on verso. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #73 ($320); Special list 79-4, #80 ($450).
“Margaretta Reading,” pen and ink, 22.5 × 13 cm. SL, 16 March 78, #54 (£220).
“Sisterly Affection,” pen and ink, 17.5 × 16 cm. SL, 16 March 78, #53 illus. (£380).
Romney, George. “Family Affection,” pen and ink, c. 1776, 16.5 × 19.5 cm. SL, 30 Nov, 78, #67 (£150). “Iphigenia Asleep under a Tree,” pencil, ink, and wash, 26.4 × 42.2 cm. Colnaghi, Nov. 79 cat., #28 illus. (£1500).
Sketchbook of figure studies, 8 × 6 ½ in. CL, 20 Nov. 79, #9 illus. (£1400).
Sketchbook of figures and landscape studies, 6 ½ × 7 ¾ in. CL, 20 Nov. 79, #10 (£900).
Sketchbook entitled “Satan’s Fall,” 5 ½ × 9 ¼ in. CL, 20 Nov. 79, #11 illus. (£2000).
Sketchbook of studies, chiefly based on Paradise Lost, 5 ½ × 9 ¼ in. CL, 20 Nov. 79, #12 illus. (£1600).
Study of a man in profile, pencil and ink, 14 ¼ × 7 ⅝ in. CL, 20 Nov. 79, #13 (£380).
“Young Lovers Espied by a Child,” pencil and wash, c. 1794, 37.5 × 54.5 cm. SL, 30 Nov. 78, #68 (£1650).
Sherman, Welby. “The Bacchante,” wood engraving after Calvert. Agnew, May 79 cat., #81 (£180).
Stothard, Thomas. Architectural monuments, two pencil and wash sketches for, 10.5 × 12 and 11 × 8 cm. Woodspurge Books, Dec. 79 Special list 79-4, #82, 83 ($40 each).
Man rescuing a woman from stampeding horses, pencil, pen and wash studies, with 5 other drawings. CL, 19 June 79, #24 illus. (£240).
FACSIMILES, EDITIONS, CATALOGUES, BIOGRAPHIES, CRITICISM
Note: “Special issue” in reference to Blake Trust facsimiles indicates a copy with trial proofs, stencils, and other additional materials related to the production of the volume.
All Religions are One, Blake Trust facsimile. Duschnes, Sept. 78 cat. 222, #42 ($75). Black Sun Books, Feb. 79 cat. 52, #41, special issue ($325). Swann, 21 June 79 ($50). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #21 ($75). Edwin Epps, special list 79-2, Nov. 79, # ($165); Woodspurge Books, special list March 80 ($65). Heritage Books, Dec. 79 cat. 8, #19, special issue ($450).
America, Blake Trust facsimile. Duschnes, May 79 cat. 225, #22 ($450). B. & L. Rootenberg, June 79 cat. 2, #36 ($425). SH, 26 Oct. 79, #432 (Quaritch, £125).
America, American Blake Foundation facsimile, intro. by Bentley. Serendipity Books, Dec. 79 cat. 39, #P13, hardbound, signed ($75).
Art of William Blake, exhibition catalogue, National Gallery, 1957. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #41 ($15).
Bentley, ed., Vala, or The Four Zoas, facsimile ed. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #36 ($165). SH, 21 March 79, #230 (J. Wordsworth, £30). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #129 ($150).
Binyon, ed., Blake’s Illustrations to Job, 1906. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #27 ($37.50).
Binyon, Drawings and Engravings of Blake, 1922. Heritage Books, Spring 79 cat. 7, #8, large paper issue, boxed ($300). Swann, 21 June 79 ($80).
Binyon, Followers of Blake, 1925. Swann, 18 Jan. 79, worn ($45). SH, 21 March 79, #130 (Hatchard’s, £100).
Bishop, Blake’s Hayley, 1951. Edwin Epps, Oct. 78 list ($20).
Blair, The Grave, 1903 reproduction. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #14 ($50).
Blake Trust Facsimiles. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #41-54, and summer 79 cat. 997, #259-72 (prices from latter in italic): All Religions are One ($36); Book of Ahania ($64, $65.50); Book of Los ($80, $82); Jerusalem, 1974 color facsimile ($275, $265); Laocoon ($60, $62); Song of Los ($200, $194); Songs of Innocence ($150); Songs of Innocence and of Experience ($900, $1150); Book of Thel ($200); Gates of Paradise ($200); Marriage of Heaven and Hell ($400); Visions of the Daughters of Albion ($300); Dante Illustrations ($378); There is No Natural Religion, special issue ($175), regular issue ($70); Gray Illustrations, special issue ($1,920, $1,960), regular issue, bound ($1,280, $1310), regular issue, unbound, boxed ($1240, $1310); Complete Portraiture of Blake, signed by Keynes ($110).
Blake Trust Facsimiles. Alan Thomas, Nov. 78 cat. 38, #38: Songs of Innocence (£55); Milton (£135); Gates of Paradise (£40); There is No Natural Religion (£35); Gray Illustrations (£590); Book of Ahania (£32); Jerusalem, 1974 color facsimile (£130); Song of Los (£95); Book of Los (£40); Laocoon (£30); Complete Portraiture of Blake (£55). See also individual titles in this list.
Book of Ahania, Blake Trust facsimile. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985 (£32). Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #25 ($85). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #122 ($75). Serendipity Books, Dec. 79 cat. 39 ($325).
Book of Los, Blake Trust facsimile. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985 (£40). Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #28 ($95); Jan. 80 cat. 227, #43, special issue ($425). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #123, special issue ($350); #124, regular issue ($75). Serendipity Books, Dec. 79 cat. 39 ($75).
Book of Thel, Muir facsimile, 1888. SH, 13 July 78, #150 (Quaritch, £80); Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #38 ($300).
Book of Thel, illustrated by Ricketts, 1897. Swann, 18 Jan. 79 ($70). Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226 ($50).
Book of Thel, Gollancz facsimile, 1928. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #31 ($50); Aug. 79 cat. 226, #20 ($50). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #15 ($50); Feb. 80 list 80-3, #34 ($35).
Book of Thel, Blake Trust facsimile. Duschnes, Sept. 78 cat. 222, #40, special issue ($475). Deighton Bell, Dec. 79 cat. 215, #94 (£110).
Book of Urizen, Blake Trust facsimile. SH, 27 Oct. 78, #358 (Quaritch, £240). CNY, 26 Nov. 79, #173 ($220).
begin page 19 | ↑ back to topBray, Life of Stothard, 1851. SL, 1 Oct. 79, #243, in 2 vols., extra-illuminated with approximately 160 pls. (Way, £140). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #75 ($105).
Butlin, ed., Blake-Varley Sketchbook, facsimile. SH, 21 March 79, #231 (Reed & Sims, £28).
Butterworth, Blake Mystic, 1911. SL, 22 March 79, #228 (£10).
Cary, Art of Blake, 1907. Swann, 21 June 79, #55 ($15).
Damon, Note on the Discovery of a New Page of Milton, 1925. Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #18 ($85).
Dante Illustrations, 1922 portfolio. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #28 ($300). SH, 26 Oct. 79, #431, printer’s proofs with corrections, lacking folder and color pl. but with six duplicates (Makiya, £30). Duschnes, Jan. 80 cat. 227, #37 ($375).
Dante Illustrations, Blake Trust facsimile. Serendipity Books, Dec. 79 cat. 39 ($375).
Ellis and Yeats, eds., Works of Blake, 1893. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #26A ($750). Howes, March 79 cat. 200, #265 (£285). Swann, 21 June 79, worn buckram rebinding ($80).
Europe, Blake Trust facsimile. B. & L. Rootenberg, June 79 cat. 2, #37 ($400).
Figgis, Paintings of Blake, 1925. Argosy Books, Nov. 78 list, #5 ($125). Blackwell’s, Nov. 78 cat. A1119, #360 (£50); Jan. 80 cat. A1141, #257 (£80).
Garnett, Blake Painter and Poet, 1895. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985, #29 ($70). W. & V. Dailey, June 79 cat. 14, #35 ($90). Woodspurge Books, Feb. 80 cat. 80-3, #45 ($60).
Gates of Paradise, Muir facsimile, 1888. Duschnes, Jan. 80 cat. 227, #36 ($350).
Gates of Paradise, W. A. White facsimile, n.p., n.d. David O’Neal, March 79 cat. 26 ($35). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #16 ($75).
Gates of Paradise, Hollyer facsimile, 1925. Howes, summer 78 cat. 201, #51 (£12). Quaritch, May 79 cat. 225, #17 ($25). Duschnes, May 79 cat. 225 ($25).
Gates of Paradise, Blake Trust facsimile. Duschnes, Sept. 78 cat. 222, #41 ($95). CL, 11 July 79, #68 (Ars Artis, £30).
Gilchrist, Life of Blake. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #28, ed. Robertson, 1907 ($37.50). Edwin Epps, 12 May 78 list, #4, 1863 ed. (#225). Howes, summer 78 cat. 201, #57, 1863 ed. (£75). SH, 27 Oct. 78, #350, 1880 ed., rebacked (Ayres, £36). Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #56, 1880 ed. ($350); #57, 1880 ed., rebound ($300). Edwin Epps, 15 Jan. 79 list, #1, 1863 ed. ($175); #2, 1880 ed. ($220). SH, 21 March 79, #226, 1880 ed. (Reed & Sims, £90). SH, 10 May 79, #209, 1880 ed. (I. Sanger, £80). Swann, 26 July 79, 1863 ed. ($179); 21 June 79, 1863 ed., two copies ($30, $80). David O’Neal, July 79 cat. 27, 1863 ed., rebacked ($225). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #52, 1863 ed. ($275): special list March 80 ($130). Blackwell’s, Jan. 80 cat. A1141, #258, 1880 ed. (£120). Albion Books, Jan. 80 cat., #85, 1880 ed., rebacked ($60).
Gray Illustrations, Blake Trust facsimile. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #45 ($1600); Sept. 78 cat. 222, #43 ($1600). SH, 26 Oct. 79, #433 (Marks, £380). Serendipity Books, Dec. 79 cat. 39 ($1600).
Gray’s Poems, illus. by Blake, ed. Grierson, 1922. SH, 27 Oct. 78, #352 (Ars Artis, £36). SH, 21 March 79, #229 (Ayres, £12).
Jerusalem, Pearson facsimile, 1877. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #29 ($350).
Jerusalem, Blake Trust color facsimile, 1951. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #32, with Wicksteed’s study ($1350); Aug. 79 cat. 226, #21 ($1500). SH, 13 July 78, #161 (Quaritch, £680). SH, 27 Oct. 78, #357 (Quaritch, £620). Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992 ($4000); summer 79 cat. 997, #264 ($4000). CNY, 20 April 79, #15, with Wicksteed’s study ($1000). Henry Sotheran, July 79 cat. 967 (£885). SH, 25 Oct. 79, #307 (Quaritch, £580). Heritage Books, Dec. 79 cat. 8, #214 ($1750). Deighton Bell, Dec. 79 cat. 215, #93 (£1650). Lawson, Feb. 80 cat. 198, #92 (£1350).
Jerusalem, Blake Trust black and white facsimile of the Rinder copy, 1952. Edwin Epps, Dec. 78 list, #5 ($45). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #17 ($45); #18, with Wicksteed’s study ($115).
Jerusalem, Blake Trust color facsimile, 1974. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985 (£130). Duschnes, Sept. 78 cat. 222, #44 ($325). Thorp, Jan. 80 cat. 426, #488A (£105).
Job Illustrations, Dent facsimile, 1902. Maggs, Jan. 79 cat. 197, #5 (£32). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #125 ($200).
Job Illustrations, portfolio ed. Binyon and Keynes, 1935. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985, #25 ($2000). Blackwell’s, Nov. 78 cat. A1119, #358 (£600). CNY, 20 April 79, #14, box worn ($700). Black Sun Books, Feb. 79 cat. 52, #39 ($1500). Monk Bretton Books, April 79 cat. 8, #24 ($1500). Duschnes, May 79 cat. 225, #20 ($1350). Swann, 10 May 79, #41 ($900). SH, 7 June 79, #488 (Marks, £260). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #126 ($1500).
Keynes, Bibliography of Blake, 1921. Monk Bretton Books, April 79 cat. 8 ($350). Swann, 14 June 1979, #169 ($550).
Keynes, Bibliotheca Bibliographici. SH, 11 May 79, #351 (Maggs, £35).
Keynes, Blake Studies, 1949. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #31A ($37.50).
Keynes and Wolf, Blake’s Illuminated Books: Census, 1953. Jonathan Hill Books, May 79 cat. 2 ($150).
Keynes, Blake’s Illustrations to the Bible, Blake Trust. SH, 13 July 78, #163 (Caffyn, £230). Quaritch, summer 79 cat. 994, #263 ($700). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #13, unnumbered review copy with only four color pls. ($500).
Keynes, ed., Complete Portraiture of Blake, Blake Trust. Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #29 ($105). Serendipity Books, Dec. 79 cat. 39 ($145).
Keynes, Engraving by Blake: The Separate Plates. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985, #33 ($425).
Keynes, ed., Letters from Blake to Butts, 1926. Duschnes, May 79 cat. 225, #18 ($25).
Keynes, ed., Notebook of Blake, facsimile, 1935. Kendall & Steigerwald, Dec. 78 cat. 1, #347 ($125). CL, 28 Nov. 79, #160 (Blackwell’s, £70). Lawson, Feb. 80 cat. 198, #93 (£65).
Keynes, ed., Pencil Drawings by Blake, 1927. SH, 13 July 78, #158, out of series copy with five duplicate plates (Frankel, £85). SH, 27 Oct. 78, #353 (Waley, £50); #354 (George’s, £48). Heritage Books, fall 78 cat. 6, #18 ($150). Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #30 ($195). Jenkins Co., June 79 cat. 119, #65 ($125). Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #19 ($150). Edwin Epps, special list 79-2, Nov. 79, #5 ($165); Woodspurge Books, March 80 special list ($100). CL, 28 Nov. 79, #113 (Josephs, £55). Lawson, Feb. 80 cat. 198, #94 (£95).
begin page 20 | ↑ back to topKeynes, ed., Pencil Drawings by Blake, second series, 1956. Duschnes, Sept. 78 cat. 222 ($100). Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992 ($100). Swann, 21 June 79 ($70). SH, 25 Oct. 79, #271 (Makiya, £38). Jenkins Co., Feb. 80 cat. 123, #1580 ($150).
Keynes, Study of the Illuminated Books, 1964. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #37, limited ed. signed ($100). Alan Thomas, Nov. 78 cat. 38, #380, limited ed. signed (£45). Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #55, limited ed. signed ($90). Swann, 18 Jan. 79, limited ed. signed ($80). Edwin Epps, special list 79-2, Nov. 79, #4, limited ed. signed ($240); special list March 80 ($195). Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #38, regular issue ($45).
Keynes, ed., Writings of Blake, 3 vols., 1925. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #30, one vol. ed. on India paper ($325). SH, 13 July 78, #151 (Lis, £60). Duschnes, Sept. 78 cat. 222, #36 ($250). Alan Thomas, Nov. 78 cat. 38, #36 (£95). Bow Windows Bookshop, Jan. 79 supplement 38, with Wilson’s Life of Blake (£185). Brentano’s, Jan. 79 cat., #9, full goatskin ($400). Howes, March 79 cat. 200, #458 (£145). SH, 21 March 79, #104, out of series copy (Maggs, £45). B. & L. Rootenberg, June 79 cat. 2, #34 ($385). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #401 ($350). SNY, 27 Nov. 79, #458 ($300). Duschnes, Jan. 80 cat. 227, #38 ($350). Bernard Rosenthal, Jan. 80 ($275).
Laocoon, On Homer’s Poetry and On Virgil, The Ghost of Abel, Blake Trust facsimile. Duschnes, Sept. 78 cat. 222, #45 ($65); Aug. 79 cat. 226, #27 ($70). Jenkins Co., June 79 cat. 119, #65 ($115). Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #128 ($75). Serendipity Books, Dec. 79 cat. 39 ($60).
Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Camden-Hotten facsimile. SH, 7 June 79, #487, incorrectly identified as a Muir facsimile, soiled (W. & V. Dailey, £25). Now in the Brown University Library.
Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Dent facsimile, 1927. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #19 ($70); special list March 80 ($55).
Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Blake Trust facsimile. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #36 ($225). Black Sun Books, Feb. 79 cat. 52, #40 ($450).
Milton, Muir facsimile, 1886. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #39 ($450).
Milton, L’Allegro and Il Penseroso, illus. by Blake, 1954. Deighton Bell, Dec. 79 cat. 25, #729 (£40).
Milton, On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity, illus. by Blake, ed. Keynes, 1923. Claude Cox, June 79 cat. 12, #61 (£21).
Moss, W. E., sale catalogue of his collection, Sotheby’s, 1937. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #34 ($25).
Muir facsimiles, Swann, 10 May 79, #35-40: America and Europe, both colored ($650); Marriage of Heaven and Hell ($375); Gates of Paradise ($325); Song of Los, color printed ($325); Book of Thel ($275); Songs of Innocence and of Experience, 1884-1885 ($425).
Muir facsimiles, Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #37, Book of Thel, Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Visions of the Daughters of Albion, There is No Natural Religion, bound in four vols. ($1250). See also individual titles in this list.
Newton, A. E., sale catalogue of his collection, Parke-Bernet, 1941. Edwin Epps, Oct. 78 cat., 3 vols. ($70). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #38, 3 vols. ($75); #39, vol. 1 only, containing all Blake materials ($35).
Palmer, Shorter Poems of Milton, 1889, with illus. after Palmer’s drawings. SH, 14 July 78, #457 (A. G. Thomas, £75). Alan Thomas, Nov. 78 cat. 38, #39 (£125). Duschnes, May 79 cat. 225, #129 ($400). Blackwell’s, July 79 cat. A-1, #179, vellum binding (£150). Deighton Bell, Dec. 79 cat. 215, #730, foxed (£155). Blackwell’s, Jan. 80 cat. A1141, #332 (£110).
Palmer, Sketch-Book of 1824, ed. Butlin, 1962. SH, 14 July 78, #458 (Cavendish, £120).
Plowman, Introduction to Study of Blake, 1927. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #56 ($20).
Poems of Blake, published by Pickering, 1874. Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #26, rebound in morocco ($37.50). Blackwell’s, Aug. 79 cat. 1333, #18 (£32).
Poetical Sketches, pub. Pickering, 1868. Claude Cox, June 79 cat. 12, #60 (£21). Swann, 26 July 79, #44 ($20).
Poetical Sketches, Noel Douglas facsimile, 1926. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #32 ($35). Woodspurge Books, Feb. 80 cat. 80-3, #36, U. S. issue ($20). Robertson, W. Graham, auction catalogue of his collection, Christie’s, 1949. Edwin Epps, 12 May 78 list, #5, paperbound ($27.50).
Robertson, autograph MS of his autobiography, Time Was, 341 pp. in 2 vols., with a print, photos, and a copy of the book. SL, 20 June 79, #744 (Rota, £100).
Roe, Blake’s Illustrations to the Divine Comedy. Edwin Epps, Oct. 78 list ($22.50).
Russell, Engravings of Blake, 1912. Howes, summer 78 cat. 201, #59 (£50). SH, 27 Oct. 78, #351 (Ayres, £50).
Scott, W. B., Blake: Etchings from His Works. Bromer Booksellers, Oct. 79 cat. 17, #127 ($325). Duschnes, Jan. 80 cat. 227, #35 ($125).
Smith, George C., sale catalogue of his collection, Parke-Bernet, 1938. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #35 ($20).
Smith, J. T., Nollekens and his Times. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #59, 2nd ed. ($300). SL, 1 Oct. 79, #242, 1st ed., two vols. in 4, extra-illustrated with approx. 350 pls. (Way, £160).
Song of Los, Blake Trust facsimile. Serendipity Books, Dec. 79 cat. 39 ($250).
Songs of Experience, Muir facsimile, 1885. Howes, March 79 cat. 200, #266, morocco binding (£90).
Songs of Innocence, Benn facsimile, 1926. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #35 ($60). George Houle Books, April 79 cat. 4, #49 ($65). Woodspurge Books, special list March 80 ($40).
Songs of Innocence, Blake Trust facsimile. SH, 13 July 78, #162 (Blackwell’s, £35). Duschnes, March 78 cat. 220, #33 ($100); Aug. 79 cat. 226, #22 ($100). Woodspurge Books, Feb. 80 cat. 80-3, #37 ($135); special list March 80 ($100).
Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Contemporary facsimile “alpha” of c. 1825, as listed in Bentley, “Two Contemporary Facsimiles of Songs of Innocence and of Experience,” Publications of the Bibliographical Society of America, 64 (1970), 450-63. Acquired in Jan. 79 by Colin Franklin, Oxfordshire, from John Howell Books. Copy “beta” is in the collection of Paul Mellon. Mr. Franklin believes that the only person who would make such a manuscript copy of the poems with the illuminations colored in a very Blakean manner, as he calls it, must have been Blake himself.
begin page 21 | ↑ back to topSongs of Innocence and of Experience, pub. Pickering, SL, 3 July 79, #63, second issue lacking “The Little Vagabond,” from the Pollard collection, with “a number of manuscript additions and corrections in the margins. A note on the front free endpaper reads ‘I have always understood that the pencil corrections in this book were made by D. G. Rossetti. James Gilchrist’.” (A. K. Henderson, £270). Mr. Henderson has not responded to R. N. E. ’s inquiries about this volume. Bernard Rosenthal, Dec. 79 private offer ($650).
Songs of Innocence and of Experience, pub. Pickering, 1866. Swann, 21 June 79, #48, the Frederick Locker copy, “first state without omissions that were later made in the fifth stanza of ‘Mary’ and lines 113-14 in ‘Auguries of Innocence,’” with Pickering’s pamphlet, William Blake and His Editors ($150). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #24 ($72.50). Duschnes, Jan. 80 cat. 227, #34 ($250).
Songs of Innocence and of Experience, pub. Pickering, 1868. Swann, 20 Dec. 79, #65 ($60). Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, Muir facsimiles, 1884-1885. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #40 ($500).
Songs of Innocence and of Experience, facsimile, Liverpool, 1923. Claude Cox, June 79 cat. 12, uncolored (£15). Bernard Rosenthal, Dec. 79 private offer, hand colored ($3000). This is a very beautiful, although little known, facsimile in its hand colored state. The Publisher’s Note states that “the colouring and gilding have been done by Mr. Samuel Hurd, of London, who worked from Blake’s original in the British Museum. Mr. Hurd promised to colour 100 copies, but the work proved to be so much more arduous than he had anticipated or could endure, that he felt compelled to call a permanent halt when, after a struggle lasting eight and a half years, he had finished, to his own satisfaction and ours, 51 copies.” The facsimile is based on copy T.
Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, Benn facsimiles, 1926-1927. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 992, #34 ($180).
Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, Muir-Quaritch facsimiles, 1927. Black Sun Books, June 79 cat. 54, #11-12 ($400 each).
Songs of Innocence and of Experience, Intro. by Ruthven Todd, 1947 facsimile. Edwin Epps, Oct. 78 list ($22). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #23 ($25).
Songs of Innocence and of Experience, Blake Trust facsimile. Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #23 ($850). Swinburne, Blake, second ed., 1868. Swann, 18 Jan. 79, #35 ($75).
There is No Natural Religion, Blake Trust facsimile. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985, special issue (£88); regular issue (£35). Duschnes, Aug. 79 cat. 226, #24, special issue ($275); regular issue ($95).
Thomson, James, Shelley, A Poem . . . with the Essay on Blake, 1884. Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #59, limited issue ($100).
Virgil, Blake’s Illustrations to, ed. Keynes, 1937. SH, 13 July 78, #160 (Quaritch, £62). Edwin Epps, Oct. 78 list ($225). Kendall & Steigerwald, Dec. 78 cat. 1, #348 ($100). Howes, summer 78 cat. 201, #52 (£80). Swann, 18 Jan. 79 ($120). David O’Neal, March 79 cat. 26 ($80). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #31 ($230).
Visions of the Daughters of Albion, Dent facsimile, 1932. Swann, 21 June 79 ($30). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #25 ($75); special list March 80 ($65).
Visions of the Daughters of Albion, Blake Trust facsimile. Henry Sotheran, July 79 cat. 967 (£125). Wicksteed, Blake’s Innocence and Experience, 1928. SH, 26 Oct. 78, #16 (Brailey, £32).
Wicksteed, Study of Blake’s Jerusalem, 1953. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985, #37 ($125).
William Blake 1757-1827, Exhibition catalogue, Philadelphia, 1939. W. & V. Dailey, June 79 cat. 14, #37 ($45). Woodspurge Books, Oct. 79 cat. 1, #36 ($50); #37, damaged ($45).
William Blake 1757-1827, Exhibition catalogue, Hamburg, 1975. Edwin Epps, special list 79-2, Nov. 79, #17, hardbound ($40).
Wilson, Life of Blake, 1927. SH, 13 July 78, #154 (Rota, £22). Duschnes, Sept. 78 cat. 222 ($75); Jan. 80 cat. 227, #39 ($100). SH, 21 March 79, #105 (Maggs, £16). B. & L. Rootenberg, June 79 cat. 2, #35 ($85).
Wright, Life of Blake, 1929. Quaritch, Nov. 78 cat. 999, #60 ($200).
Yeats, ed., Poems of Blake, 1893. SL, 24 July 79, #405, inscribed by the editor “Lady Gregory from W. B. Yeats. Dec - 1897” and with the bookplate of Lady Gregory (Quaritch, £220). Heritage Books, spring 79 cat. 7, #19, large paper copy ($135).
Young, Night Thoughts, illus. by Blake, ed. Keynes, 1927. Quaritch, May 78 cat. 985, #38 ($295). SH, 13 July 78, #155 (A. G. Thomas, £70); #156 (A. G. Thomas, £50). Alan Thomas, Nov. 78 cat. 38, #35 (£120). Duschnes, May 79 cat. 225, #19 ($175).