William Blake Printmaker, Robert N. Essick — 1st Edition

£85.00

William Blake Printmaker, Robert N. Essick — 1st Edition

Name: William Blake Printmaker, Robert N. Essick — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6459
Price: 85.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University Press, 1980

Formatting: 4to, pp. xxii, 283.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's pale blue cloth boards present cleanly with sharp corners, and the binding remains remarkably tight and square, showing virtually no shelf-wear. The black title block and gilt lettering on the spine are bright and unoxidised. Internally, the pages and plates are crisp and bright, free of previous ownership markings. The primary condition point to note is scattered foxing to the text block edges, predominantly along the lower edge, which is standard for the paper stock of this period and does not intrude into the margins of the text. The original dust jacket shows typical age-toning and light surface wear consistent with age, but remains intact and presents well. The book is housed in a protective clear sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition of Robert N. Essick's authoritative study on William Blake's printmaking techniques. Published by Princeton University Press in 1980, this scholarly volume thoroughly examines the role printmaking played in Blake's artistic and poetic development.

The text is beautifully supplemented by a colour frontispiece displaying Blake's The Song of Los, alongside more than 200 black-and-white plates that detail his graphic style and mechanical processes.

First editions of this work in tight, well-preserved bindings remain uncommon on the open market, making it a cornerstone text for collectors of English Romantic art, Blake scholars, and enthusiasts of historical print production.

Robert N. Essick’s William Blake Printmaker is a masterful and exhaustive examination of the visionary artist’s innovative graphic techniques. Bridging the gap between Blake the poet and Blake the artisan, Essick explores how the physical processes of engraving and etching directly shaped Blake's philosophical and aesthetic expressions. From his early apprenticeships to his revolutionary illuminated printing methods, this study illuminates the profound synergy between Blake’s manual craft and his visionary genius, offering readers a unique understanding of the mechanics behind his timeless works.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Robert N. Essick

Book Publisher: Princeton University Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Art & Architecture

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 283

Book Publication Year: 1980

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: William Blake

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Princeton, New Jersey, United States

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.