Morris, William.

8vo, limited to 206 copies of which this is one of 200 on paper, ornamental woodcut border and initials, original vellum, leather ties, ties secured by tape on fixed endpapers, cutting from contemporary journal laid-down to front free endpaper

sold in these rooms, 6 May 1974, lot 178

Peterson A1

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

a fine copy of the first kelmscott press book.

This copy includes a cutting from the Pall Mall Gazette from 31 October 1891 noting "Mr. William Morris has just issued from the Kelmscott Press a collection of his shorter poems..."

This collection is one of the finest and most complete collections of Kelmscott Press books offered on the market for many years. The collection includes, for example, specimen pages of Froissart's Chronicles (limited to 160 vellum copies in 1897) together with one of the 32 sets of incomplete sheets privately distributed to friends of Morris (see lot 240). The silk ties throughout the collection have been lightly gummed down onto the fixed endpapers and this measure has helped preserve the tie and bindings. Volumes from this collection have been used for exhibition purposes at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, February - March 1981 and the V&A Museum, London, May - September 1996.