Lot 236
Kelmscott Press - Morris, William
Auction: 26 January 2011 at 11:00 GMT
Description
The defence of Guenevere and other poems. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892. 8vo, one of 300 copies, title in red and black, original limp vellum, ties, a fine copy
Footnote
Provenance: Beatrice Emily and James Morton, bookplate designed by C.F. A. Voysey.
Shortly after the Sir James and Lady Morton were married in May 1901 they commissioned Voysey to create a bookplate for them. Voysey was well known for his bookplates in the 1890's and he described this one in the book Books-plates, symbolism and philosophy, "This is the joint book-plate of Beatrice Emily and James Morton. The lady is of Irish descent, whilst her husband hails from Scotland. Hence the thistle and the shamrock growing together, while birds stand sentry over the untied hearts."