JOHN MARTIN (1789-1854)
Illustrations of the Bible
the complete book comprising twenty mezzotints with etching
1831-35
on wove paper, without watermark
with title, table of content, advertisement and text
a fine, uniform set from the first edition published by Charles Tilt, London, 1838
with titles and the address of the author, most plates with the word PROOF
fine impressions, printing richly and with great contrasts, before the rework of the plates
the sheets with margins on three sides, trimmed to or just inside the platemark on one side
bound within a gilt-tooled black morocco binding with the title and artist's name in gilt on the cover
with marbled end-leaves and gilt sheet edges
some staining, surface dirt and other defects
the subjects in good condition
Plates 26,5 x 35,6 (10¹⁄₂ x 14 in.) (and similar)
Sheets 28 x 40,8 cm. (11 x 16 in.) (and similar)
Overall 42 x 29,5 x 2,5 cm. (16¹⁄₂ x 12 x 1 in.) (book)

Sotheby Parke-Bernet, London, 1 November 1978, lot 170.
Acquired at the above sale; then by descent to the present owners.

J. Campbell, J. Wees, R. Burnett, John Martin: Visionary Printmaker, York, 1992, nos. 92-111, pp. 120-150 (other impressions ill.).
J. Wees, Darkness Visible - The Prints of John Martin, Williamstown, Mass., 1968, no. 30-41, p. 38-52 (other impressions ill.).