There Is No Natural Religion

London: Printed at the Trianon Press for the Trustees of the William Blake Trust, 1972. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Blake, William. Two volumes (complete), one of 616 copies, folio and duodecimo sizes, unpaginated [21 plates and 10 pp. of commentary]. 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 (truncated) 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.

"There is No Natural Religion" is a series of gnomic aphorisms written in 1788. The plates were made by relief etching on copper, and are among Blake's earliest experiments in this method of etching for his illuminated books. The different states slightly vary in the order of the plates, with copy L (Series b) considered to be Blake's first illuminated book.

___DESCRIPTION: Two volumes, both bound in quarter brown morocco with hand-marbled paper sides, backstrips lettered in gilt, twenty-one plates, twenty of which were reproduced by colour collotype with water-colour washes by hand through stencil, and one monochrome engraving, printed on Arches pure rag paper made to match the paper used by Blake, each page is watermarked with Blake's monogram; the larger of the two volumes is just under folio size (11 7/8" by 9 3/8") and the smaller duodecimo size (7.25" by 5"), unpaginated [21 plates and 10 pp. of commentary], limited edition of 616 copies, this no. 290. Both volumes housed in a single publisher's tiered slipcase covered with the same hand-marbled paper.

___CONDITION: Both volumes fine overall, the leather smooth and supple, the marbled boards clean and unrubbed, the corners perfectly straight and unrubbed, strong, square text blocks with solid hinges, internally bright and clean, and other than a single name of a prior owner at the very top of the front pastedowns free of prior owner markings; overall a fine set. Slipcase is near fine, clean with a bit of shelfwear at edges, some minor chips at the opening, and one seam beginning to split but still strong and sturdy.

___CITATION: Bentley, Blake Books, 202.

___POSTAGE: Please note that is an unusually heavy set and additional postage may apply; 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 #: 24032452)