1895 Antique Book - Kelmscott Press - Original William Morris - Syr Perecyvelle

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

The book being offered is an original, limited, first edition printing of "Syr Perecyville of Gales," printed by William Morris at the Kelmscott Press in 1895. The first page of text starts: "Here bygynnes the Romance off Syr Perecyvelle of Gales." The frontispiece is a wood-cut after a design by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones. The colophon page [last page] reads in part : "Overseen by F.S. Ellis, after the edition printed by J.O. Halliwell from the MS. in the Library of Lincoln Cathedral. Printed by William Morris, at the Kelmscott Press, Upper Mall, Hammersmith. Finished on the 16th day of February, 1895." Only 350 copies were printed on paper, plus 8 on vellum. It is 8vo (8 1/2 X 5 1/2 inches); hardcover; Original quarter linen & blue paper covered boards with title in black type on front board; covers lightly soiled & age toned along edges otherwise binding is in good condition; contents damped at one point, so rubrication in margins bleeds through pages (see scans); last few pages have tide marks on outer edges from damp; ex libris book plate on second free-fly page is damp stained; minor age toning to pages; text block tight; 98 pages. Despite damp staining, there is no mold smell. Reference: "A Note by William Morris on His Aims in Founding the Kelmscott Press, Together with a Short Description of the Press & an Annotated List of the Books Printed Thereat, by Sydney C. Cockerell." Catalog # 33. It is a scarce & valuable book by the most famous private press in modern printing history. I have found 4 auction results for the book: 1.] Swann Auction Galleries; PRIVATE PRESS & ILLUSTRATED BOOKS; February 23, 2012 ;Sale 2269; Lot 158 - (KELMSCOTT PRESS.) Syr Perecyvelle of Gales. Frontispiece by Edward Burne-Jones. Printed in Chaucer type, with titles and shoulder notes in red, numerous borders and initials designed by William Morris. 8vo, linen-backed blue boards, spine ends and tips slightly frayed, minor smudging to covers. Norman J. Sondheim bookplate. one of 350 unnumbered copies. Peterson A33. (Hammersmith, 1895) Estimate $700-1,000 ; Sold for $1,200 2.] Swann Galleries, Inc. Apr 28th, 2005 Sale 2040 - Fine Books ; Lot 2040086 ; Estimate $600 - $900 [could not find result] 3.] Christies Sale 1922 Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts Including Americana ; 3 December 2007 ; Lot 519 [KELMSCOTT PRESS]. Syr Perecyvelle of Gales. Edited by F.S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1895. Estimate $4,000 - $6,000 ; Price Realized $4,375 4.] Christies Sale 9438 8 November 2000; Los Angeles; Lot 153; Estimate $400 - $600 ; Price Realized $447 I have found only two other original printings available on internet book searches.The first is being offered for $1,850.00 on ABAA. This voume has the same binding as the one I am offering. The second in also on ABAA and is offered for $2,345.04 [£1,500]. Buyer to pay $4.95 insured media mail in US (or international priority shipping with insurance - $19.95.) I accept Pay Pal as payment. **You can still pay me without having a PayPal account. You can pay using your credit card without creating a PayPal account. Just enter via the eBay 'Pay Now' button and you'll be directed to a page where you can enter your credit card information. If you don't have a PayPal account, you'll be automatically redirected to a secure page in eBay checkout where you can enter your credit card information. Thanks for looking. Please see my other items ! Please visit my William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and utopian socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement. He founded a design firm in partnership with the artist Edward Burne-Jones, and the poet and artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti which profoundly influenced the decoration of churches and houses into the early 20th century. As an author, illustrator and medievalist, he helped to establish the modern fantasy genre, and was a direct inf... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.