Arcana:

(BLAKE, WILLIAM). Blake, William, David Bindman, Barbara Bryant, Robert Essick, Geoffrey Keynes, Bo Lindberg, Charles Ryskamp & John Commander. David Bindman, Editor. London: The William Blake Trust, 1987. First Edition #61/250 Deluxe. Folio. Leather over Boards, Slipcased. Artist Monograph. Fine/No Jackets - As Issued. 148pp + np, profusely illustrated in collotype. Published in 1987 by the William Blake Trust, this lavish two volume undertaking is devoted solely to William Blake's "Illustrations of the Book of Job". The first volume combines a facsimile reprint in collotype of the 1826 first edition as well as additional plates reproducing scores of variant illustrations related to Blake's spectacular work. It includes "an introduction and plate-by-plate commentary by Bo Lindberg". The second volume is subtitled "The Engravings and Related Material, with Essays, Catalogue of States and Printings, Commentary on the Plates, and Documentary Record by David Bindman, Barbara Bryant, Robert Essick, Geoffrey Keynes, and Bo Lindberg. Edited by David Bindman". In addition, it contains an introduction by Charles Ryskamp, and a preface by Bindman and John Commander. It is a scholarly work that illuminates virtually all aspects of the creation and subsequent history of this epic illustrated book. According to the colophon, "Plates and illustrations printed in the collotype process by The Trianon Press, Paris under the supervision of the late Arnold Fawcus. Typesetting by Ronset of Darwen, Lancashire. Printing, binding and case-making by Smith Settle of Otley, Yorkshire. Printed on Arches pure rag papers made for the edition. Edited, designed and produced by John Commander". The text volume is bound in ¼ Morocco over hand marbled boards with a gilt-stamped spine and leather front cover pastedown. The plate volume contains twenty-three signatures gathered in a ¼ Morocco over boards chemise with a letterpress front cover pastedown. The chemise is housed in a ¼ Morocco over hand marbled boards solander box with a gilt-stamped spine and leather front cover pastedown. A brand new, exceptionally handsome example of this uncommon item from the standard edition limited to two hundred and fifty NUMBERED (61/250) sets in the publisher's Morocco-over-cloth fitted presentation cases.PLEASE NOTE: Inventory Number: 025540