Young, Edward William Blake, artistBiblio.com
The Complaint and the Consolation; or Night Thoughts.
1797123299Large 4to. London: R. Noble 1797. Large 4to viii 1 95 2 pages; with 43 full-page engravings by Blake after his own designs surrounding the letterpress text. “Explanation†leaf bound in at the back. Half brown morocco backstrip gilt gilt top by Riviere; a very large copy measuring 16 1/2 x 13 inches thus preserving almost all the imprints. § First edition with Blake’s illustrations complete with the leaf of “Explanationsâ€. Essick and LaBelle explain in their commentary how Blake virtually in a frenzy completed 537 watercolor designs when he was commissioned by the publisher Edwards to illustrate Young’s masterpiece. Edwards issued only the first four “Nights†or sections and had Blake etch and engrave 43 plates to test the market. The response must have been poor since no further engravings were requested of Blake and Edwards ceased business shortly thereafter. Ironically today the poet Young once compared with Shakespeare and Milton is largely forgotten save for this edition. Colored copies are known in two palettes the earlier of which may have been colored under Blake’s direction. Bentley Blake Books 515. Easson and Essick William Blake Book Illustrator vol. 1 IV. Essick and LaBelle Night Thoughts Dover 1975. Bindman Complete Graphic Works of Blake 357-379. Ray The Illustrator and the Book in England 3. R. Noble unknown books
