William Blake, Arthur Symons — 1st Edition

£45.00

William Blake, Arthur Symons — 1st Edition

Name: William Blake, Arthur Symons — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6514
Price: 45.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Archibald Constable and Company Ltd., 1907

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xviii, [ii], 433, [3].

Condition Report: Good. The original dark blue publisher's cloth binding retains a respectable tightness, though its structural integrity is accompanied by noticeable shelf-wear to the extremities, including rubbed and mildly frayed corner tips. The spine is heavily sunned, exhibiting rubbing at the head and tail, while the gilt tooling and lettering, though legible, appear visibly oxidised. The front and rear boards display general rubbing, minor scratching, and some surface mottling. Internally, the pages lack uniform brightness; the text block features heavily age-toned, untrimmed fore and bottom edges. Scattered foxing and spotting are prevalent, most notably affecting the preliminary leaves, the title page, and its verso, though the central text pages remain adequately legible for a volume of this age.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition, first printing of Arthur Symons's celebrated critical biography and study of the visionary poet and artist William Blake. Printed in Edinburgh by T. and A. Constable for the London publisher, this octavo volume was issued without illustrations, focusing entirely on Symons's extensive literary analysis and transcription of Blake's records.

While signed copies or those in exceptional modern fine bindings command significant premiums at auction, this standard trade issue in the publisher's original cloth is an accessible survival on the open market, appealing equally to Blake enthusiasts and collectors of Edwardian literary criticism.

In this deeply appreciative 1907 study, prominent poet and critic Arthur Symons offers a profound exploration of William Blake's dual genius as a writer and an artist. Combining meticulous biographical research with acute literary criticism, Symons seeks to unravel the mystical and visionary elements of Blake's mind, cementing his reputation as one of the most vital interpreters of the Romantic visionary's complex legacy.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Arthur Symons

Book Publisher: Archibald Constable and Company Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 433

Book Publication Year: 1907

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.