Binyon, Laurence

Manuscript Signed of his lecture, William Blake; Painter, Poet, Seer. Fair copy, in the hand of Binyon's wife, Cicily*

[Possibly Cambridge, Mass., ca. 1932-35] Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), poet, writer, art critic and historian, was, through his articles and books, an early popularizer of Blake's work. This essay, typical of the writings and introductions by him which adorned various scholarly studies, is an eloquent recapitulation of Blake's fiery genius, seen through the eyes of a sympathetic fellow poet, who notes that not everyone is as pro-Blake as he: “Quite recently Mr. William Watson has been telling us that [Blake's] poems are absurdly over-rated. To Mr. Yeats, on the other hand, he is a greater poet than Keats. His art attracts some minds as powerfully as it repels others.” To Binyon, although Blake produced lyrical and artistic masterpieces, “[he] means to us not the contemplation of masterpieces so much as contact with a soul of elemental purity & ardour...in his spirit there seems born anew one of those makers of mythology & religion who shaped & coloured the thoughts of the human race thousands of years ago.” That Blake has become more universally appreciated as the years go by is to a degree the result of such evaluations as this one, beautifully written out in the elegant hand of Binyon's wife, Cicily, and luminous with his insight and conviction. As far as we can determine, the essay is unpublished. Most probably it was prepared as a lecture during Binyon’s stay in America as Charles Eliot Norton Professor, 1932-33. According to John Hatcher in his biography (p. 267) “Apart from his Norton lectures, he gave lectures and talks on almost every subject in his repertoire, including Blake as poet, painter and seer … “ (exactly the title of this piece). Hatcher goes on to say that Binyon delivered his lectures and poetry readings not only in the Boston/Cambridge area, but in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Cleveland, Yale, Princeton, and Vassar …” *Handwriting identified with the courteous assistance of Edmund Gray, grandson of the poet 10 x 8 inches. Written in ink on rectos of 19 numbered sheets; approximately 5000 words; docketed in pencil on the first page in an unknown hand “Complete Ms. 1944”. In fine condition, contained in a gray cloth slipcase with green gilt leather label, and inner wrapper; with the bookplate of Kenneth A. Loft. John Hatcher, Laurence Binyon: Poet, Scholar of East and West (1997)

• USD 2,000.00 > другие валюты
• номер заказа: 13508

• продавец: James Cummins Bookseller Inc. (USA)