Blake, William (1757-1827)

Songs of Innocence and of Experience [18th-Century Romanticism] [Publisher's Limited Edition]

London: Rupert Hart-Davis Ltd. /Trianon Press, 1967. Limited Edition issued by the publisher, with alternative binding. Introduction by Sir Geoffrey Keynes

Blue cloth with gilt spine titles in a matching slipcase with color paste-on illustrations on both sides. 9.25 inches tall [slipcase]; 54 plates each with a page of description and poem followed by an index of first lines. Most of the illustrations are in color.

No Flaws or Blemishes but minimal shelf handling; The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean.

This edition aimed to faithfully replicate Blake's original illuminated printing technique, combining poetry and visual art in a manner that reflects the dualities of human experience.

This copy does not match any we find in the marketplace. On the copyright page in light pencil is a note from a book-seller that he believes this to be copy #2.

According the the Online Archive of California the Size of editions: 526 copies.  This may be one of 240 copies numbered 1 to 240 published by the Trianon Press, Chateau de Boissia, Clairvaux, Jura, France, and distributed by Faber and Faber Ltd., 24 Russell Square, London, W.C.1.  There may have been a loose plate #54 which is absent.

Blake’s visionary poetry explores the dualities of human existence, juxtaposing innocence with experience, purity with corruption, and the divine with the earthly. First published in 1789 and 1794, it remains one of the most significant works in the Western literary canon.

The collection consists of two parts: Songs of Innocence, which presents a world of purity and grace, and Songs of Experience, which addresses the darker, more cynical aspects of life.

Blake’s work is notable for its deeply personal spiritual and philosophical exploration, and its unique blend of visual and poetic art. His illuminated printing technique, in which he combined poetry and intricate illustrations, set his work apart from conventional poetry. In these collections, Blake’s engravings vividly complement his verse, creating a full sensory experience that continues to influence artists and poets.

This 1967 edition published by Rupert Hart-Davis Ltd. in collaboration with the Trianon Press is a notable reprint of this iconic work. This edition is renowned for its high-quality production and faithful reproduction of Blake’s original illuminated designs. The Trianon Press, known for its careful attention to detail and craftsmanship, produced the illustrations with the same techniques that Blake had used, making this edition a fine example of modern fine printing.

The 1967 publication includes an insightful introduction and notes, shedding light on Blake’s unique vision, his artistic process, and his cultural and philosophical context. This edition stands as both a collector’s item and a scholarly resource, appealing to those interested in the intersection of poetry, visual art, and 18th-century Romanticism.

Keywords:  Illuminated Printing, Poetry, Romanticism, Visual Art, Blakean Art.

Item #20320

Price: $325.00