ONE OF 45 ON VELLUM
Gothic Architecture: A Lecture for the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society
Kelmscott Press, 1893.
First edition, one of 45 copies on vellum. Large 16mo. Original holland-backed boards with brown linen spine. Red and black ornate lettering on vellum with decorative arts and crafts style title letters. English architect Halsey Ricardo name inscribed in ink on the front free end paper. A near fine copy, with a few faint stains to the boards but internally bright and clean.
William Morris established the Kelmscott press in 1891, and proceeded to print over fifty three medieval style books. This particular title, first published at a half-crown, was produced from a lecture on Gothic Architecture in 1889. The arrangement was printed during the Arts and Crafts exhibition of 1893.
Due to its popularity, the text was reprinted twice during the two month Art and Crafts show, but the later issues correcting the errors on pp 41 "guilds" and 45 "Van Eyck." Peterson states that all vellum copies contained the corrections of the second state, but this is one of a few known versions in the first state.
This copy belonging to Halsey Ralph Ricardo, an English architect, who taught at an Arts and Craft School in London and was later elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a member of the Art Workers Guild.
Peterson A18, Cary 187
Stock ID: 46720
£20,000.00
