Nestled on the top floor of Hale, Special Collections welcomes brave wanderers (and ENGL 362 “British Survey II” classes).
The subject of the day’s undertaking on February 19?
William Blake.
After a quick—and well-deserved—plug from the archivists, we were off!
(For those wondering, they are open 10 a.m.—5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and by appointment on Mondays and Fridays.)
This day, the class was interested in a recently acquired copy of William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience created by printmaker Michael Phillips using Blake’s innovative processes.
As the artist, poet, colorist, and printer (taking the work of 7 jobs with assistance from his wife), Blake’s book was a revolutionary feat. First composed in 1789 and 1794, it required figuring out how to combine usually separate word and image printing jobs and even writing backward!
Dr. Crosby’s deep knowledge, paired with the tactile experience of the paper and plates from Special Collections, brought Blake’s illuminated books to life.
Seeing the individual pages and the printing style in person gave me a higher respect for the art form.
Reading the book in the online William Blake archive or—Heaven forbid—in a pictureless anthology, can take away some of the personal aspects Blake instilled in each individualized copy.
Considering we are glimpsing the “two contrary states of the human soul,” it’s only right to honor the work the way it was meant to be enjoyed: through the press to the hand.
A hearty thanks to Special Collections and Dr. Crosby for bringing this opportunity to life.
To my other dear readers and Blake enthusiasts, check out Dr. Crosby’s upcoming books and get lost in the archives!
— Cassidy Hartig (BA ’24)
K-State English 