![SANGORSKI, Alberto, calligrapher and illuminator – BLAKE, William (1757-1827). Songs of Innocence. London: [c.1927].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0440_001(sangorski_alberto_calligrapher_and_illuminator_blake_william_songs_of063344).jpg?w=1)
![SANGORSKI, Alberto, calligrapher and illuminator – BLAKE, William (1757-1827). Songs of Innocence. London: [c.1927].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0440_002(sangorski_alberto_calligrapher_and_illuminator_blake_william_songs_of063354).jpg?w=1)
![SANGORSKI, Alberto, calligrapher and illuminator – BLAKE, William (1757-1827). Songs of Innocence. London: [c.1927].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0440_003(sangorski_alberto_calligrapher_and_illuminator_blake_william_songs_of063405).jpg?w=1)
![SANGORSKI, Alberto, calligrapher and illuminator – BLAKE, William (1757-1827). Songs of Innocence. London: [c.1927].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0440_000(sangorski_alberto_calligrapher_and_illuminator_blake_william_songs_of032824).jpg?w=1)
Details
SANGORSKI, Alberto, calligrapher and illuminator – BLAKE, William (1757-1827). Songs of Innocence. London: [c.1927].
A unique illuminated manuscript on vellum in a jeweled binding by Sangorski and Sutcliffe. The colophon statement reads: “The copy of The Songs of Innocence has been written out and illuminated by F. Sangorski and G. Sutcliffe of London for The Grolier Society and will not be duplicated.” Signed by C.S. Howell for the Society.
Quarto (254 x 177mm). 16 vellum leaves comprising 25 illuminated pages, a colophon, and 2 blank leaves, written in a semi-gothic script in black; title and colophon in gold and red; title-page with miniature allegorical portrait of a poet with flute surrounded by a gilt-floral border in colors incorporating title in gold with large initial S; 11 other miniatures incorporated into decorative borders; 15 other large illuminated initials on grounds of color or burnished gold, with full or partial color and gilt borders with penwork tracery and extensions (occasional rubbing to illumination, tissue guards with offsetting). Contemporary jeweled binding signed by Sangorski and Sutcliffe of blue morocco elaborately gilt, border of navy, blue, red, and green morocco around a wide panel of rose brambles in red, green and gilt and a central recessed navy panel thickly gilt, the upper cover with morocco inlay in arabesque pattern incorporating dozens of jewels including two flowers of turquoise and topaz; doublures of cream, red, blue, navy and cream morocco, the inside upper cover with beribboned wreath lettered “William Blake 1757-1827” and a lyre, stamp-signed on the front turn-in: “Illuminated and Bound by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, London,” silk linings (about 3 of the smaller jewels possibly replaced); green morocco velvet and silk-lined case (case scuffed).
A unique illuminated manuscript on vellum in a jeweled binding by Sangorski and Sutcliffe. The colophon statement reads: “The copy of The Songs of Innocence has been written out and illuminated by F. Sangorski and G. Sutcliffe of London for The Grolier Society and will not be duplicated.” Signed by C.S. Howell for the Society.
Quarto (254 x 177mm). 16 vellum leaves comprising 25 illuminated pages, a colophon, and 2 blank leaves, written in a semi-gothic script in black; title and colophon in gold and red; title-page with miniature allegorical portrait of a poet with flute surrounded by a gilt-floral border in colors incorporating title in gold with large initial S; 11 other miniatures incorporated into decorative borders; 15 other large illuminated initials on grounds of color or burnished gold, with full or partial color and gilt borders with penwork tracery and extensions (occasional rubbing to illumination, tissue guards with offsetting). Contemporary jeweled binding signed by Sangorski and Sutcliffe of blue morocco elaborately gilt, border of navy, blue, red, and green morocco around a wide panel of rose brambles in red, green and gilt and a central recessed navy panel thickly gilt, the upper cover with morocco inlay in arabesque pattern incorporating dozens of jewels including two flowers of turquoise and topaz; doublures of cream, red, blue, navy and cream morocco, the inside upper cover with beribboned wreath lettered “William Blake 1757-1827” and a lyre, stamp-signed on the front turn-in: “Illuminated and Bound by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, London,” silk linings (about 3 of the smaller jewels possibly replaced); green morocco velvet and silk-lined case (case scuffed).