THE   LIFE  OF

 

 

 

WILLIAM   MORRIS

 

 

 

BY

 

J.  W.  MACKAIL

 

 

 

LONGMANS,  GREEN  AND  CO.

LONDON,

1899

 

DESCRIPTION

First Edition

(ii) + viii + 375pp + (ii)

(ii) + viii + 364pp + (ii)

Books measure 225mm x 150mm approximately.

Beautifully bound in period light blue / green half calf over cloth boards. Spine with five raised bands with gilt motifs to compartments, and title, date and author in gilt. Tissue-guarded portrait frontispiece to each volume, and a further 22 illustrations throughout. Marbled end-papers and paste-downs. Top edges in gilt.

CONDITION

Both bindings are holding very tight and firm. Boards of each volume exhibit some surface marks and slight discolouration with small losses of leather to corners and edges. Spines has faded evenly. Previous owner bookplate central to front paste-down of each volume.

Internally the pages are complete and in very clean and bright condition throughout. There is only some moderate browning and the odd spot towards end-papers and paste-downs. A few marks to page edges.

Overall, a very nice set of volumes indeed.

Please always refer to photo images for a clearer indication of condition.

We are always happy to provide further photo images if required.

NOTE : these are larger, slightly heavier books. Postage will reflect this, but at cost.

INTERESTING

 

William Morris (1834 to 1896) was a British textile designer, poet, artist, fantasy writer, and socialist activist associated with the British Arts and Crafts movement. He was a major contributor to the revival of traditional British textile arts and methods of production. His literary contributions helped to establish the modern fantasy genre, while he helped win acceptance of socialism in Great Britain.

John William Mackail OM FBA (1859 to 1945) was a Scottish academic of Oxford University and reformer of the British education system. He is most often remembered as a scholar of Virgil and as the official biographer of the socialist artist William Morris.

Mackail was Oxford Professor of Poetry from 1906 to 1911, and president of the British Academy from 1932 to 1936. He was the official biographer of the socialist artist William Morris, of whom he was a close friend. He married Margaret Burne-Jones who was the only daughter of artist and designer Edward Burne-Jones. They lived in Kensington, and later in Holland Park.