Jerusalem: The Emanation Of The Giant Albion (The Illuminated Books of William Blake Volume 1)

Inbunden bok. Folio Society. 1 uppl. 2007. 304 sidor.

Nära nyskick. Book and slipcase are in Fine condition. Edited with an introduction and notes by Morton D. Paley. Quarter-bound in leather with moiré silk sides. Set in Bulmer. 304 pages. 100 coloured plates reproduced from the unique coloured copy of Jerusalem now in the Paul Mellon Collection, Yale Center for British Art. Coloured page tops. Pictorial slipcase. Book size: 12˝ x 8½˝ (30 x 22cm).

Jerusalem: The Emanation Of The Giant Albion is a visionary and mystical poem written by the English poet and artist William Blake. It is part of a larger collection of works known as the prophetic books, which Blake created during the latter half of his life. The poem is divided into four parts and tells the story of the creation and fall of Albion, a mythical giant who represents the spiritual essence of England. Albion is divided into four parts: the head, the heart, the loins, and the feet, each of which represents a different aspect of the human experience. The poem is written in Blake's characteristic style, which combines intricate symbolism and complex metaphors with a powerful emotional intensity. The themes explored in the poem include the nature of human consciousness, the relationship between the spiritual and the material worlds, and the struggle between good and evil. Overall, Jerusalem: The Emanation Of The Giant Albion is a complex and deeply philosophical work that has been praised for its beauty, its originality, and its profound insights into the human condition. It remains one of Blake's most celebrated and influential works and continues to inspire readers and scholars alike.

Only five copies of the poem exist, of which one is in colour and it is this one, now housed in the Paul Mellon Collection, Yale Center for British Art, that has been reproduced here in this Folio Society facsimile.

This fine edition was published by the Folio Society in association with the William Blake Trust in the 250th anniversary year of Blake’s birth. It contains a foreword and an eight page introduction by Morton D. Paley from The William Blake Trust, who also edited the book. The 100 colour plates are produced in facsimile along with five additional plates taken from other copies of the book for comparison purposes. There is a 170 page transcription of the text and copious notes plus a commentary on the text to make its meaning more understandable. The book finishes with a bibliography and corrigenda.