PROSPECTUS
October 10, 1793.
TO THE PUBLIC
The Labours of the Artist, the Poet, the
Musician, have been proverbially attended by poverty and obscurity;
this was never the fault of the Public, but was owing to a neglect
of means to propagate such works as have wholly absorbed the Man of
Genius. Even Milton and Shakespeare could not publish their own
works.
This difficulty has been obviated by the Author
of the following productions now presented to the Public; who has
invented a method of Printing both Letter-Press and Engraving in a
style more ornamental, uniform, and grand, than any before
discovered, while it produces works at less than one fourth of the
expense.
If a method of Printing which combines the
Painter and the Poet is a phenomenon worthy of public attention,
provided that it exceeds in elegance all former methods, the Author
is sure of his reward.
Mr. Blake’s powers of invention very early
engaged the attention of many persons of eminence and fortune; by
whose means he has been regularly enabled to bring before the
Public works (he is not afraid to say) of equal magnitude and
consequence with the productions of any age or country: among which
are two large highly finished engravings (and two more are nearly
ready) which will commence a Series of subjects from the Bible, and
another from the History of England.
The following are the Subjects of the several
Works now published and on Sale at Mr. Blake’s, No. 13, Hercules
Buildings, Lambeth.
1. Job, a Historical Engraving. Size 1 ft. 7½ in.
by 1 ft 2 in.: price 12s.
2. Edward and Elinor, a Historical Engraving.
Size 1 ft. 6½ in. by 1 ft.: price 10s. 6d.
3. America, a Prophecy, in Illuminated Printing.
Folio, with 18 designs: price 10s. 6d.
4. Visions of the Daughters of Albion, in
Illuminated Printing. Folio, with 8 designs, price 7s.
6d.
5. The Book of Thel, a Poem in Illuminated
Printing. Quarto, with 6 designs, price 3s.
6. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, in
Illuminated Printing. Quarto, with 14 designs, price 7s.
6d.
7. Songs of Innocence, in Illuminated Printing.
Octavo, with 25 designs, price 5s.
8. Songs of Experience, in Illuminated Printing.
Octavo, with 25 designs, price 5s.
9. The History of England, a small book of
Engravings. Price 3s.
10. The Gates of Paradise, a small book of
Engravings. Price 3s.
The Illuminated Books are Printed in Colours, and
on the most beautiful wove paper that could be procured.
No Subscriptions for the numerous great works now
in hand are asked, for none are wanted; but the Author will produce
his works, and offer them to sale at a fair price.