[BLAKE, WILLIAM]. Illustrations of the Book of Job, Invented and Engraved by William Blake. London: Published by Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1903.
Hardcover. First edition thus - limited to 100 copies for England. Quarter cloth. Octavo, (210 x 140 mm.). Unpaginated. Contains 22 single-sided tissue-guarded monochrome etchings on India paper mounted on handmade paper, each stating 'Proof' to the bottom right hand corner. Publisher's original quarter white cloth with cream paper title and author lettering label to the spine, steel blue paper covered boards, all page edges untrimmed. Illustrations of the Book of Job primarily refers to a series of twenty-two engraved prints (published 1826) by Blake illustrating the biblical Book of Job. It also refers to two earlier sets of watercolours by Blake on the same subject (1806 and 1821). The engraved Illustrations are considered to be Blake's greatest masterpieces in the medium of engraving, and were also a rare commercial and critical success for Blake. Red and black title page stating 'A New Edition'. This issue is reproduced in reduced facsimile from the original Edition published by William Blake in the year 1826. Condition: GOOD to VERY GOOD. Binding tight and secure, the covers with some discoloration and darkening, points rubbed, title-label somewhat eroded. Contents very well preserved, some minor spotting to fore edge. Small gift inscription neatly inked to fep: 'To Muriel, May 1st, 1912'. Extremely scarce.
