Catalogue of the John Linnell Collection of Highly Important Works by William Blake Obtained Direct from the Artist ... &c
Blake, William
London. Christie, Manson & Woods. 1918
A fine unsophisticated copy of the important catalogue of the sale of this highly significant collection of William Blake material.
The sale was held on Friday, March 16th, 1918 at Christie's 'Great Rooms' in King Street, St. James's.
In 1818 John Linnell (1792 - 1882) met William Blake (1757 - 1827), with whom he remained friendly until Blake’s death in 1827. Linnell became an important patron to Blake in the final years of his life, commissioning, among other works, a set of engravings illustrating the Book of Job, and buying the watercolours that Blake had made for John Milton’s 'Paradise Regained'.
The first portion of the sale was made up of works by Linnell himself as well as works and prints by other artists. Lots 148 to 215 all relate to Blake and include among sketches, watercolours and letters, the 98 drawings for Dante, the drawings for the 'Illustrations of the Book of Job', the drawings for Milton's 'Paradise Regained', the illuminated books 'America, A Prophecy', 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell', 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' (two copies), 'There Is No Natural Religion', 'Vala' and more; notable are also the eleven sets of Blake's engravings for Dante and the 68 copies of the 'Illustrations for the Book of Job'.
Four of the lots are priced in sepia ink in the catalogue: a note records that '148 Dante's 'Divina Comedia'' sold for 7,300 Guineas; '149 The Book of Job' (i.e. the original drawings) sold for 3,000; '151 Paradise Regained' fetched 2,100; and '215 ... 'Songs of Innocence and Experience'' achieved 700 Guineas.
The catalogue, a remarkable survival, shows some toning to the wrappers and has been folded at some point, a few chips to the rear wrapper and some dog ears do not detract from a well-preserved and unsophisticated example. Although well represented and widely held in institutions, the catalogue is very scarce in commerce.
The sale was held on Friday, March 16th, 1918 at Christie's 'Great Rooms' in King Street, St. James's.
In 1818 John Linnell (1792 - 1882) met William Blake (1757 - 1827), with whom he remained friendly until Blake’s death in 1827. Linnell became an important patron to Blake in the final years of his life, commissioning, among other works, a set of engravings illustrating the Book of Job, and buying the watercolours that Blake had made for John Milton’s 'Paradise Regained'.
The first portion of the sale was made up of works by Linnell himself as well as works and prints by other artists. Lots 148 to 215 all relate to Blake and include among sketches, watercolours and letters, the 98 drawings for Dante, the drawings for the 'Illustrations of the Book of Job', the drawings for Milton's 'Paradise Regained', the illuminated books 'America, A Prophecy', 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell', 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' (two copies), 'There Is No Natural Religion', 'Vala' and more; notable are also the eleven sets of Blake's engravings for Dante and the 68 copies of the 'Illustrations for the Book of Job'.
Four of the lots are priced in sepia ink in the catalogue: a note records that '148 Dante's 'Divina Comedia'' sold for 7,300 Guineas; '149 The Book of Job' (i.e. the original drawings) sold for 3,000; '151 Paradise Regained' fetched 2,100; and '215 ... 'Songs of Innocence and Experience'' achieved 700 Guineas.
The catalogue, a remarkable survival, shows some toning to the wrappers and has been folded at some point, a few chips to the rear wrapper and some dog ears do not detract from a well-preserved and unsophisticated example. Although well represented and widely held in institutions, the catalogue is very scarce in commerce.
[16 leaves; pp. 30]. 8vo. (246 x 155 mm). Title to front wrapper, conditions of sale verso and the details of 215 lots. Original publisher's printed paper wrappers, stitched as issued, titles to front cover in black.
#48652
