"THE DOG HER ORDER UNDERSTOOD, OR SEEM'D TO UNDERSTAND, IT WAS HIS GLORY TO MAKE GOOD AFFECTION'S KIND COMMAND": HAYLEY'S BALLADS, 1805 ILLUSTRATED WITH FIVE PLATES BY WILLIAM BLAKE

(BLAKE, William) HAYLEY, William. Ballads, founded on Anecdotes Relating to Animals, with Prints, Designed and Engraved by William Blake. London: Richard Phillips, 1805. Octavo, early 20th-century full blue morocco, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, top edge gilt, uncut. $6000.

Expanded second edition—the only obtainable edition—of this poetry collection, with five engravings by William Blake, handsomely bound by Bedford.

"These Ballads were originally intended to have been issued separately in fifteen quarto parts with numerous illustrations by Blake, and for the benefit of the artist. Four parts were issued in 1802, but the series did not meet with success and was discontinued. Later it was arranged to issue them in the present, again for Blake's benefit" (Keynes). This 1805 edition is an expanded version, with additional poems, of the extremely rare 1802 first edition (which last appeared at auction 70 years ago). Blake reengraved the first three plates and added two more to illustrated the additional poems. The first three plates are in first state. Easson & Essick, 41-44. Bookplates.

Fine condition.