Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society

Catalogue of the First Exhibition. 1888, 'Under Revision' on half-title and upper wrapper, some loss to upper wrapper; Catalogue of the Second Exhibition. 1889, lacking half of lower wrapper; Catalogue of the Third Exhibition. 1890; Catalogue of the Fifth Exhibition. 1896; Catalogue of the Sixth Exhibition. 1899, 'Under Revision' on upper wrapper; all small 8vo, original printed wrappers, some soiling and spotting, wrappers worn with tears and some loss (5)

During 1887 The Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society was formed with the intention of promoting the exhibition of decorative arts together with fine arts. As such, the early exhibitions were a significant contribution to the evolution of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain. The third exhibition was a financial disaster and prompted William Morris to take over the presidency of the Society in 1891. The fifth exhibition is now recognized as the most influential, although slightly overshadowed by the death of Morris on the planned opening day. These catalogues are rare and we can find no records of recent sale at auction. Catalogues represented here include texts by Walter Crane, William Morris, T.J. Cobden-Sanderson and Emery Walker, May Morris and Ford Madox Hueffer.