Hardcover
1976 · London
by Blake, William; Keynes, Geoffrey (Commentary and Bibliographical Statement)
London: Printed at the Trianon Press for the Trustees of the William Blake Trust, 1976. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Blake, William. One of 480, quarto size, unpaginated [5 plates and 5 pp. of commentary]. "The Book of Los" published in 1795, is one of Blake's prophetic books, a sort of retelling of "Urizen" from the perspective of the character "Los". "The Book of Ahania" along with "The Book of Los" were some of the last of the series of Illuminated Books completed by Blake while living in Lambeth. The manner of their execution suggest that he was wearying with the effort of making the splendid books that preceded them, and was seeking for a less laborious method of production. He completed only one copy of each book and then laid them aside, as if dissatisfied with his experiment. He never included either of them in any list of his productions and is not known to have disposed of them to any customer or patron. They therefore remained unknown until late in the nineteenth century.
William Blake (1757-1827) is arguably the most original and highly regarded English author - unusual in that he excelled both as an author and an artist. Although thought mad by his contemporaries, he was held in high regard for his expressiveness and for the synthesis of philosophical and mystical senses within his work. Blake's work has been spectacularly reproduced through the pochoir technique by Arnold Fawcus and his Trianon Press, which has an undeniable claim to being the finest press of its kind in the last century and has long been known for their unrivaled artworks in fine colour printing.
___DESCRIPTION: Original quarter adobe-brown morocco with hand-marbled paper sides, backstrip lettered in gilt, five plates reproduced by the collotype and pochoir processes, printed on Arches pure rag paper made to match the paper used by Blake, paper is watermarked with Blake's monogram; large quarto size (11 7/8" by 9 5/8"), unpaginated [5 plates and 5 pp. of commentary], limited edition no. 229 of 480 (with 538 total copies). Housed in publisher's slipcase covered with the same hand-marbled paper with leather guards on the head and tail of the opening.
___CONDITION: A fine copy, internally bright and free of prior owner markings, covers are clean, corners are straight, text block is tight and square; a very small, shallow mark to the leather on the back board, else fine. Slipcase is also fine, strong and sturdy, with no tears to the seams, clean and free of chips or toning; a beautiful example.
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard shipping charge does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.
___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help. (Inventory #: 33330994)
William Blake (1757-1827) is arguably the most original and highly regarded English author - unusual in that he excelled both as an author and an artist. Although thought mad by his contemporaries, he was held in high regard for his expressiveness and for the synthesis of philosophical and mystical senses within his work. Blake's work has been spectacularly reproduced through the pochoir technique by Arnold Fawcus and his Trianon Press, which has an undeniable claim to being the finest press of its kind in the last century and has long been known for their unrivaled artworks in fine colour printing.
___DESCRIPTION: Original quarter adobe-brown morocco with hand-marbled paper sides, backstrip lettered in gilt, five plates reproduced by the collotype and pochoir processes, printed on Arches pure rag paper made to match the paper used by Blake, paper is watermarked with Blake's monogram; large quarto size (11 7/8" by 9 5/8"), unpaginated [5 plates and 5 pp. of commentary], limited edition no. 229 of 480 (with 538 total copies). Housed in publisher's slipcase covered with the same hand-marbled paper with leather guards on the head and tail of the opening.
___CONDITION: A fine copy, internally bright and free of prior owner markings, covers are clean, corners are straight, text block is tight and square; a very small, shallow mark to the leather on the back board, else fine. Slipcase is also fine, strong and sturdy, with no tears to the seams, clean and free of chips or toning; a beautiful example.
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard shipping charge does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.
___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help. (Inventory #: 33330994)
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