William Blake, Basil de Selincourt — 1st Edition

£40.00

William Blake, Basil de Selincourt — 1st Edition

Name: William Blake, Basil de Selincourt — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6021
Price: 40.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Duckworth and Co., 1909

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xi, 298.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original brown cloth binding remains pleasingly square and robust, displaying only minor shelf-wear and light rubbing to the corners and the extremities of the spine. The blind-ruled borders and the central gilt hexagonal floral device on the front board, as well as the gilt titling to the spine, remain remarkably bright and unoxidised. Internally, the front free endpaper bears a factual, contemporary ink inscription reading "Edith Scott / from E.S. / Christmas 1918" alongside some distinct paper-slip offsetting and light browning. The text block edges, which are rough-cut and deckled to the fore and lower margins, show typical age-related toning. The pages are largely clean and secure, presenting a well-preserved copy completely free from obtrusive internal marks.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition of Basil de Selincourt's critical study of William Blake, published for both the UK and US markets. The volume features a striking frontispiece portrait of Blake, reproducing a drawing then in the possession of Messrs. Quaritch, which is safeguarded by a tissue guard.

De Selincourt originally published this study during a period of burgeoning early twentieth-century academic interest in Blake’s mythos and artistry. While copies of this critical work do circulate on the open market, they are becoming increasingly uncommon in such an original, well-preserved state with its gilt decoration remaining sharp.

The front endpaper carries an early ownership signature dated Christmas 1918, offering a modest but authentic trace of the volume's early provenance and readership during the close of the First World War.

An insightful early twentieth-century exploration of the visionary poet and artist William Blake. In this comprehensive biographical and critical study, Basil de Selincourt unpacks Blake's idiosyncratic philosophy, his conception of the imagination, and the complex symbolism of his prophetic books. It serves as both a window into Blake's unique creative genius and a fascinating example of Edwardian literary criticism.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Basil de Selincourt

Book Publisher: Duckworth and Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 298

Book Publication Year: 1909

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, 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.