Pear Tree Press.- Blake (William) Songs of Innocence, number 13 of

Pear Tree Press.- Blake (William) Songs of Innocence, number 13 of 300 copies signed by the artist/printer (in fact only 17 copies printed), intaglio-printed in colours throughout with plates by Guthrie and decorated text from script by Helen Hinkley, original vellum, title with rosettes in gilt to upper cover, spine titled in gilt, t.e.g., others uncut, a couple of light stains to lower edge of boards, spine very lightly soiled, original board slip-case with intaglio-printed label to upper cover, 4to, Flansham, Pear Tree Press, 1939 [printed 1949]. *** Very rare. We have been able to trace only J.R.Abbey's copy at auction, originally sold by Sotheby's in Part IV of Major Abbey's library in 1967 (£24), and again in these rooms as part of David Chambers's library in July earlier this year (£4000). A loosely-inserted letter from Guthrie to Abbey in that copy dated 1948 stated, "...I do this in small batches, from the plates, & am rather slow - 'old age & decrepitude'....Very rashly, I gambled on doing 300, but a strained hand & a war have reduced expectations to a very small number...".

Estimate:£2,000

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