A Letter from William Blake [to Thomas Butts, dated Jany. 10, 1802]

Blake, William

Publication Date: 1964

About this Item

Northampton (MA): Gehenna Press, 1964. Slim 12mo, [16]pp. With 6 wood-engravings, 4 printed on Japan tissue, all being versions of Blake's face. Original marbled wrappers, printed label on upper cover. Backstrip somewhat worn, and chipped, with fading and shelfwear to edges and tips. § Limited to 500 copies (but surely fewer than that) this copy unnumbered. There were also 25 de luxe copies with an extra suite of the plates. Only two copies are recorded as having sold in the last 30 years and this is the only copy we have ever seen. The letter is classic Blake to his great patron: "I hear a voice you cannot hear, that says I must not stay, I see a hand you cannot see, that beckons me away. Naked we came here, naked of Natural things, & naked we shall return; but while clothed with the Divine Mercy, we are richly clothed in Spiritual & suffer all the rest gladly." Bentley, Blake Books, 94.

Seller Inventory # 126227

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Letter from William Blake [to Thomas Butts, dated Jany. 10, 1802]
• Publication Date: 1964
• Binding: Soft cover
• Seller catalogs:
  • Blake
  • Private Press