BLAKE, William; H.J.C. Grierson, introd

William Blake's Designs for Gray's Poems, reproduced full-size in monochrome or colour from the unique copy belonging to His Grace the Duke of Hamilton [Presentation Copy; Ex-Libris Ruthven Todd]

Oxford: Humphrey Milford / Oxford University Press, 1922. First, Limited Edition. No. 8 of 650 numbered copies. This a presentation copy from the Duke & Duchess of Hamilton to "Mr. & Mrs. Alington," inscribed on half-title: "For Mr. & Mrs. Alington / with grateful thanks for the loving care given to Malcolm & David / from the Duke & Duchess of Hamilton," dated 1926. Also with the later undated ownership signature of prominent Scottish poet and Blake scholar Ruthven Todd. Folio (ca. 20" x 15"); original maroon cloth with gilt spine and cover titles; 21,(5)pp [text] + 64 unnumbered leaves of plates, printed both sides (six in color). Contents complete and fine; mild external wear and soil, still a handsome, Near Fine copy in the publisher's binding.

These designs by Blake, never published, were originally in the possession Blake's close friend the artist John Flaxman (1755-1826); in 1828 Flaxman's estate was sold by Christie's at which time the drawings made their way into the trade, then eventually into the library of Hamilton Palace. Through a happy accident the drawings were not dispersed with the palace library in 1882, and remained undiscovered until the estate's tragic dismantling in 1922. In conjunction with the Duke and Duchess, Grierson commissioned the reproductions and saw the current work into print, adding a keenly perceptive essay on the drawings' history and their place in the evolution of Blake's technique.

Though not certain, the presentation to "Mr. and Mrs. Alington" is almost certainly to Charles Alington, founder of the Labrador Retriever Club in 1920 (of which the Duchess was a charter member), a champion breeder and an expert on field trials and judging. The Duchess Hamilton was herself a major figure in the field trial world, winning the premier championship in 1909 with her Labrador bitch Dungavel Phoebe. She was also a major force for animal welfare, co-founding in 1906 the Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society. A distinguished copy of a work that appears infrequently in commerce. We note no other presentation copies in the auction record; the Todd provenance is a very nice addition indeed.

Price: $750.00

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