Blake (William) Illustrations of the Book of Job, one of 215 first issue "Proof" copies, this one of 65 copies on "French" paper, engraved title and 21 plates designed and engraved by Blake, on unwatermarked paper, with the word "Proof" on each plate, fine impressions, second plate (Job and his family praising God) misdated "1828", light foxing, handsomely bound in crushed plum morocco by Rivière & Son, neatly rebacked preserving original backstrip with raised bands and lettered in gilt, turn-ins tooled in gilt, t.e.g., wear to corners, little rubbed with some light scuffs, original upper wrapper with printed paper label bound in, folio (422 x 270mm.), Published by the Author, March 8, 1825 [but March, 1826].

⁂ An excellent copy of the scarce first issue of one of Blake's most important works.

There has been some confusion over the states of the earliest issues of the Job plates. Most bibliographical sources, including Bentley, list 150 "Proof" sets on India paper watermarked "J Whatman Turkey Mill 1825" and 65 "proof" sets on French paper watermarked "J Whatman 1825". These were followed by 100 sets printed on drawing paper with the word "proof" removed. However, in the essay "Blake’s Engravings to the Book of Job: An Essay of their Graphic Form with a Catalogue of their States and Printings", Robert Essick states that he has "not been able to identify any set as definitely printed on a French paper but this description probably refers to impressions with the 'Proof' inscription (State A) printed directly on an ivory-coloured wove paper without watermark".

Although Bentley states that the French paper shows a Whatman watermark, Essick believes that it is unlikely that such a clearly English paper used for the drawing paper impressions would be referred to as "French" in John Linnell’s account books. As such, it seems most probable that this copy is one of the 65 sets on French paper. These sets are considerably scarcer at auction than those printed on India paper. Although the title is dated 1825, publication was delayed until 1826, with the date amended on the label to the upper wrapper.

Provenance: Bishop Nathaniel D. Pendleton (ink gift inscription dated 1922 to front free endpaper).

Literature: Binyon 105-126; Essick 625-646.