Life of William Blake, Pictor Ignotus. With Selections from his Poems and Other Writings. Illustrated from Blakes own Works, in facsimile by W.J. Linton, and in photolithography; with a few of Blakes Original Plates.
first edition
1863 · London
by Gilchrist, Alexander; William Blake.
London: Macmillan, 1863. First edition. 24 cm; 2 volumes. [i-v], vi-xv, [1]-389; [i-v], vi-vii, [1-3] 4-268 pages, and 66 plates including the "Job" engravings and 16 plates from electrotypes of the copperplates of "Songs of Innocence and of Experience." Text illustrations. Folding plate of Canterbury pilgrims in volume 2. Bound in roughly contemporary red half morocco over marbled boards, with gilt-tooled compartments on spine, with original gilt-stamped morocco covers laid down on front pastedowns in both volumes. Binding somewhat worn at joints and edges, but this is a sound copy, internally without blemish. Reference: Bentley, Blake Books, 1234A.
Bentley said it better than we can: "Never has an important literary reputation been posthumously established so effectively, instantaneously, and forcefully.... Gilchrist's title, 'Pictor Ignotus,' had not been mere showmanship. Blake had been unknown, and Gilchrist made him sensationally well-known. From 1863 on, Blake took an unchallenged place in literary and artistic history as one of the great figures of the Romantic Movement. Gilchrist's biography is still, in many respects, the best biography of Blake" (pp. 12-13). (Inventory #: 5924)
Bentley said it better than we can: "Never has an important literary reputation been posthumously established so effectively, instantaneously, and forcefully.... Gilchrist's title, 'Pictor Ignotus,' had not been mere showmanship. Blake had been unknown, and Gilchrist made him sensationally well-known. From 1863 on, Blake took an unchallenged place in literary and artistic history as one of the great figures of the Romantic Movement. Gilchrist's biography is still, in many respects, the best biography of Blake" (pp. 12-13). (Inventory #: 5924)