The Letters of Samuel Palmer by Raymond Lister

The Letters of Samuel Palmer

Volume I and Volume II

Edited by Raymond Lister

Clarendon Press, 1974, [First Edition], ISBN 0198173091, two volume set, hardcover, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, minor edge and shelf wear, no inscriptions, clean, bright and tight, dustjackets show a little edge and shelf wear with a little rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, small tears to edges on vol. 1, tape residue on vol. 2 (see photographs)

“The letters cover the whole of Palmer’s life, from childhood to old age, throw interesting light on his work, his travels, and his opinions.  They also give a vivid picture of the life of an artist in the nineteenth century, showing many aspects of Palmer’s artistic opinions, practice, and friendships, and his reactions to such contemporary concerns as Darwinism and religious controversy.
In recent years there has been a marked upsurge of interest in Palmer’s work, particularly the work he produced at Shoreham under the joint influence of William Blake and his future father-in-law, John Linnell.  But that, though highly important, was but one period in a long life.  This collection of Palmer’s letters will help provide a more balanced view of his career as a whole, for it covers not only the days of visionary intensity at Shoreham, but also his later struggles to make an adequate living and his response to a succession of domestic griefs.”