Name: WILLIAM BLAKE (1757-1827)
Brand: Mr. Cumberland
Price: 1000.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

WILLIAM BLAKE (1757-1827)
Mr. Cumberland
engraving in sepia, on laid paper, with partial Pro Patria watermark, 1827, Blake's last known engraving, Binyon's second (final) state with the letters of the name solid (the first state has the letters of the name open), contained within an album together with a letter from Blake expert Geoffrey Keynes, in good condition

In: quarto scrapbook of 8 leaves (9³⁄₄ x 7³⁄₄). Blake's engraving tipped onto f.2. Printed catalogue descriptions and two manuscript notes on remaining leaves, including ALS from Geoffrey Keynes dated 12 March 1921 to A. Edward Newton thanking him for sending Blake references from the Grolier Club (leaves slightly toned towards edges). Quarter brown morocco and marbled paper boards, signed "n" (rubbed along extremities, spine chipped at head and tail, upper join starting). Provenance: A. Edward Newton (1864-1940; Oak Knoll bookplate on upper cover dated 1909 with manuscript note "Blake's Cumberland card."; 1921 ALS to Newton from Geoffrey Keynes tipped onto f.4; autograph note concerning Keynes attribution tipped onto f.1; his sale, Parke-Benet, 1941, lot 158, description tipped onto f. 5) – sale, Parke-Benet, 1942, lot 61 (description tipped onto f. 7) – Harris Elliot Kirk (1872-1953; bookplate on upper pastedown dated 1928).
Plate: 1³⁄₈ x 3¹⁄₄ in. (35 x 83 mm.)
Sheet: 3⁷⁄₈ x 6¹⁄₄ in. (98 x 159 mm.)
Overall: 10 x 8 x ¹⁄₂ in (254 x 203 x 13 mm.)

The Engraved Designs of William Blake, Binyon 1926.135.ii; The Engravings of William Blake, Russell 1912.36; The Separate Plates of William Blake, Essick 1983.1956.58-9, no. xxi, pl.38

Bound into the volume is a 2-page ALS to Newton from Blake expert and bibliographer Geoffrey Keynes, London, 12 March 1921, reading in part: "As regards to the Cumberland engraving, I have as you say more than one impression, and should be glad to let you have one. It hardly ever comes up for sale...I should suggest therefore that a fair price would be $50." Also bound in is a note penned by on a reproduction of the engraving: "Mr. Geoffrey Keynes thinks this was designed for a bookplate. I hesitate to disagree with so great a scholar, but I do not. A. E. N."

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Lot Essay

The present work, a design for a business card, serves as poignant farewell created for his close friend, fellow artist and patron, George Cumberland, since it is one of the last engraved works Blake made. The piece features an array of symbolic elements, including an angel descending upon two children—one setting a snare and the other holding birds by strings. Additional imagery includes a figure with a distaff, three floating figures above, and a child bowling a hoop in heaven.

George Cumberland, born in 1754, was a cousin of the dramatist Richard Cumberland. Initially employed at the Royal Exchange Assurance Office in London, he later moved to Bristol. Beyond his professional work, Cumberland was deeply interested in the arts and maintained a close friendship with Blake. Their correspondence reflects a mutual respect, with Blake expressing satisfaction over Cumberland's professional success.