Wed 29 Nov 2006
The Raven
Posted by anaglyph under Art, Poetry
[16] Comments
I thought you might like to see one of my favourite and most valued treasures – an 1884 edition of Edgar Allan Poe‘s dark and beautiful poem The Raven, illustrated by Gustav Doré.
This is an imposing large format book about 380mm x 470mm (15in x 18.5in) and is profusely illustrated with Doré’s astonishing engravings. The cover is detailed in gold leaf.
Doré famously used a technique of overprinting with white ink to make his bright areas glow. The method is not in use in his interpretations of The Raven unfortunately, but this means that the images are even more marvelous for the incredible dynamic range of brightness and darkness they achieve.
Now THAT is cool!
Thanks Rev – I always loved that poem! Where did you come across such a treasure? And do you still have both arms and legs?
Wow!
i visited a New York Public Library book art exhibition in May. A highlight was an 1875 Stephane Mallarme illustrated Edgar Allen Poe “Le Corbeau”. (Naturellement, il quoth “Jamais plus”.)
evenstar: I found it in an antiquarian book shop called Berkelouw in Los Angeles. Yes, it was very expensive, the most expensive book I own, but it was worth every penny…
Oh it’s beautiful Rev! I bet it smells good too. I just can’t get over those pictures…
That kind of ups the ante on treasures in general really.
Almost as awesome as the illustrated version of Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code, huh?
Wait a second… what happened to my comment? It got EATEN!
:(
I said, let me see if I remember:
“Oh, it’s beautiful Rev! I bet it smells good too. I just can’t get over those pictures.
That ups the ante on treasures in general, really.”
Oh, and something awesome about pirates :p I’m pretty sure.
Oh that’s it. Second eaten comment. The cows hate me.
What did I say?!! Rev does your spam filter block things like “beautiful” and “smells good” and “pirates”?
Bean: Akismet has flagged them as spam. Now this is really peculiar, since some of your comments got through and some didn’t. Something in those phrases you used trips up Akismet. Very very weird.
A comment on another post was tripped as well, also for no apparent reason. Usually Akismet strips out nothing but spam (and anything RaJ has to say, but that’s obvious), but today it’s on a bender apparently…
Sorry Bean!
My Douay Bible got Dore illustrations innit.
Its also ottagraffd by John th Baptist, I thinkski.
Oh, wow. I’m jealous!
It’s beautiful Rev.
tp
Hey! I respamble that remark.
Rabbi, how in the world did you manage to take possession of one of those?
Well, of course you of all people should know the answer to that amazed: I sold my soul for it.
Ooh! Beautiful, man. So detailed. Especially love the Grim Reaper in the last frame. :) He’s cool.
my friend has the complete book 1884 edition THE RAVEN BY POE AND ILL BY DORE
HE IS INTERESTED IN SELLING THE EDITION WHICH IS VERY GOOD CONDITION
IS THERE A MARKET FOR THIS BOOK?
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT A VALUE AND MARKET TO NO AVAIL
PLEASE REPLY THANKS GORDON CARD IN NOVA SCOTIA CANADA
MY EMAIL IS [withheld]