The Elephant (Frontispiece)
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William Blake
English, 1757–1827
From the book, Ballads, by William Hayley
This engraving is the frontispiece to “Ballad the First,” that faces page one of "Designs to a Series of Ballads," issued in four parts with a total of fourteen engravings from Blake’s own designs. Simultaneously, in 1802, Blake produced an illustrated biography of the poet William Cowper (English, 1831–1800) also by Hayley. Hayley’s "Ballads Founded on Anecdotes Relating to Animals with Prints, Designed and Engraved by William Blake" was published three years later with a total of sixteen ballads. Hayley had his friends distribute copies of the "Ballads and Blake himself issued some in individual parts.
Initially, Blake and Hayley proposed to issue one number each month with three illustrations per ballad—a frontispiece, a headpiece, and a tailpiece—for fifteen months and a total of forty-five engravings; however, Blake issued only fourteen plates and complete collections of those are extremely rare. The publication is well documented by Hayley’s correspondence, but the series made no impact in London and Blake surely lost money on the venture because he appears to have covered most of the costs of publication.
English, 1757–1827
The Elephant (Frontispiece)
1802From the book, Ballads, by William Hayley
Object Type:
Print
Creation Place:
Northern Europe, English, London
Dimensions:
5 5/8 in. x 4 in. (14.29 cm x 10.16 cm)
Medium and Support:
Engraving on paper
Accession Number:
1991.0012.0009
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Weil, Jr., in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Weil, Sr.
This engraving is the frontispiece to “Ballad the First,” that faces page one of "Designs to a Series of Ballads," issued in four parts with a total of fourteen engravings from Blake’s own designs. Simultaneously, in 1802, Blake produced an illustrated biography of the poet William Cowper (English, 1831–1800) also by Hayley. Hayley’s "Ballads Founded on Anecdotes Relating to Animals with Prints, Designed and Engraved by William Blake" was published three years later with a total of sixteen ballads. Hayley had his friends distribute copies of the "Ballads and Blake himself issued some in individual parts.
Initially, Blake and Hayley proposed to issue one number each month with three illustrations per ballad—a frontispiece, a headpiece, and a tailpiece—for fifteen months and a total of forty-five engravings; however, Blake issued only fourteen plates and complete collections of those are extremely rare. The publication is well documented by Hayley’s correspondence, but the series made no impact in London and Blake surely lost money on the venture because he appears to have covered most of the costs of publication.
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