ing to Blake's own authority,[1] consist of 50 plates; that is to say, it should contain both the Preface and the five extra pages. The Butts copy of Milton is described in the sale catalogue (26 March, 1852) as "a poem in two books, with forty-five coloured designs," and may possibly be identical with one of the first two mentioned. It was bought by Mr. Toovey for £9. Lowndes (Bibliographer's Manual) quotes an apparently perfect copy of Milton containing 50 engraved pages, for sale in Mr. Bohn's catalogue at £10 10s. If the number of plates is accurately given, this cannot be identified with any of the above examples. Brunet, in the Manuel du Libraire, gives Milton, a poem in 12 books, 100 pp.; but it is improbable that this entry can be relied upon.
- ↑ See the letter to Dawson Turner printed on p. 207 of The Letters of William Blake, edited by A. G. B. Russell, Methuen, 1906.
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