[Literature] [Blake, William] Young, Edward. The Complaint, and the Consolation; or, Night Thoughts

London: Printed by R. Noble for R. Edwards, 1797. First illustrated edition. Folio. viii, (ii), 95 pp.; with ad leaf at front, but without the scarce Explanation leaf (frequently lacking). Illustrated with four engraved sectional title-pages and 39 splendid engraved pictorial borders, by and after Blake. Three-quarter brown calf over brown linen-covered boards, stamped in blind and in gilt, front board detached, extremities scuffed, boards rubbed; red speckled edges; two book-plates on front paste-down; small library ink stamp on title-page recto; pencil notations along lower gutter on ad leaf; scattered soiling and moderate toning to leaves; scattered light offsetting. Bentley & Nurmi 422; Bentley 515

Originally published between 1742-45, this first illustrated edition of Edward Young's popular poem features 43 engravings by a then little-known journeyman printer, William Blake. In preparation for the illustrations, Blake completed 537 preparatory watercolors over two years, 200 of which he planned to engrave. Although Blake set out to illustrate all nine parts of Young's verse, only four parts were completed before the project was cancelled, due in part to the extraordinary expense and the volume's poor reception.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

From the Special Collections and Rare Book Collection at University of the Arts’ Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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1600 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia. Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Literature] [Blake, William] Young, Edward. The Complaint, and the Consolation; or, Night Thoughts

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