Unpublished woodcuts for the Tale of Cupid and Psyche
Creator
Burne, Jones, Edward Coley, 1833-1898, illustrator Morris, William, 1834-1896, engraver
Contributor
Cockerell, Sydney Carlyle, Sir, 1867-1962, annotator Cockerell, Sydney Carlyle, Sir, 1867-1962, correspondent Marillier, H. C. (Henry Currie), 1865-1951, correspondent Wardle, George, former owner
Title page is manuscript in red and black with illuminated initial. Mounted on cardboard leaf. Contains drawings and proofs designed by Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898) illustrating the William Morris (1834-1896) tale "Cupid and Psyche". Morris himself cut the majority of the blocks. The text and images were intended for "The Earthly Paradise: A Poem", but Morris was unable to find a satisfactory typeface for the images. The work was published in 1868 containing just one illustration. The plates are identified and numbered in manuscript by Sydney C. Cockerell (1867-1962). Plates are numbered 1-44 (some in multiple states) with several missing (9, 11, 14-17, 20, 33). Also includes woodcuts of Medusa’s Head, trial block proof for the Story of Pygmalian and the Image. Also includes a letter from S.C. Cockerell to H.C. Marillier (1865-1951). Ephemera laid into beginning include: handwritten inventory of plates by Cockerell, a sheet and a half of typewritten contents of the portfolio, a half sheet, typewritten describing the contents of the portfolio containing "Borders & initials for Love is enough" and a small envelope entitled: Cupid & Psyche Note, which contains an auction catalog clipping describing the contents of the portfolios and identifying George Wardle as the previous owner. Wardle was the general manager of Morris' Queen Square workshop.
Extent
1 portfolio (drawings and proofs mounted on 56 leaves) : paper mounted on cardboard ; 34 cm
Cupid and Psyche (Tale) in art Morris, William, 1834-1896 Kelmscott Press Book design Proofs (prints by function) (aat)
Source
Kelmscott Ephemera Printed Books, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
Gift of Friends of the Huntington Library, 11-26-1952. Purchased from G.P. Romer Hertford, Catalogue 84, July 1952, item 7. Previous owner identified as George Wardle.
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