Songs of Innocence and of Experience

Product Description
No other work by William Blake (1757–1827) presents the complexity of his artistic vision as clearly as the Songs of Innocence and of Experience. The best known of his illuminated books, this twofold suite explores in illustration and verse the contrasting and complementary natures of youth and maturity. Blake engraved, printed, and colored every copy of his books by hand, making each a unique work of art. Today, twenty-four complete copies of Songs of Innocence and of Experience are known. This Octavo Edition pairs, for the first time, one of the earliest and one of the latest copies of this masterwork. Both books are displayed from cover to cover in unprecedented detail and fidelity and are accompanied by transcriptions of Blake’s texts and a plate-by-plate comparison feature. Commentary by Stuart Curran.
Review
Octavo editions give readers a firsthand experience of a milestone text: each includes page-by-page views, expert commentaries, and appropriate "marginalia." --
University of Chicago Magazine, October 2004

The contrast between the two versions is striking and adds a new measure of insight to this great work. --
Library Journal, May 15, 2003

There are no cookie-cutter regimens they follow in their editions. Octavo explores each work and decides how to embellish it. --
Fine Books & Collections, September/October 2004 (cover story)

This edition contains everything needed to appreciate the Songs, and is a pleasure to use. A useful critical edition. --
Ariadne 36, July 30, 2003
From the Publisher
Imaged from The Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, Library of Congress