A Poem in Six Books, with the fragment mutabilitie.
EXCEPTIONAL SET IN THE PUBLISHER'S BOX
Spenser's Faerie Queene A Poem in Six Books, with the fragment mutabilitie.
George Allen, 1894.
Six volumes. One of 1,000 sets printed on handmade paper. Each volume large 4to. Beautifully presented in publisher's ivory cloth bindings with gilt embossed decoration and red lettering. Top edges are gilt, all others are untrimmed. In the rare publisher's box with hinged doors, lettered in gilt. Wonderfully illustrated by Walter Crane, with decorative title pages, eighty-eight full-page woodcut illustrations, plus head and tail pieces and decorative initials. An exceptional, fine set of a stunning production. Two closed tears to p.21 of Volume One, but otherwise exceptionally fresh and crisp throughout. In a very good box indeed.
A truly marvellous production and a striking example of Crane's work. This work wonderfully displays the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement with good quality paper and beautifully engraved, elegant decoration.
Crane was closely associated with the group known as the "Pre-Raphaelites", influenced by the teachings of John Ruskin he served an apprenticeship under William James Linton, an engraver favoured by Rossetti. He was also associated with William Morris through a joint involvement in the socialist movement and spent much time aiding the Art Worker's Guild, which aimed to bring art into the daily life of all classes of society.
Incredibly rare in such pristine condition, and with the original publisher's box. In a survey of auction records as far back as 1918, we have found no copies offered in the original box.
Stock ID: 43829
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