9 BAUMAN RARE BOOKS 06(MARTIN, John, illustrator) MILTON, John. The Paradise Lost of Milton. London, 1827. Two volumes. Royal octavo, contemporary full dark green pebbled morocco gilt. $6500 “The Illustrations… Are Unforgettable” First edition, large octavo issue, of John Martin’s beautifully illustrated Paradise Lost, with 24 full-page mezzotints. “The apocalyptic romanticism of [Martin’s] conceptions has many sources: the monumental buildings of London, the engravings of Piranesi, the many recently published volumes of eastern views, even incandescent gas, coal pit accidents, and Brunel’s new Thames Tunnel. The resulting illustrations may be heterogeneous, but they are also unforgettable” (Ray, 44-45). First published in both quarto and large octavo formats, this is the large octavo issue; Martin executed the mezzotints himself, for both formats (Ray). Occasional foxing to plates, less than often found. Contemporary bindings handsome and fine. An excellent copy of this wonderfully illustrated edition.
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