¶ Morris — Saga library (1891–93)

Morris, William, and Eiríkr Magnússon, trans. The saga library. 3 vols. London: Bernard Quaritch, 1891–93.

Described in the Lobb catalogue as “L.P., Autograph Presentation Copy from Morris, vols 1 to 3, with 8 odd and duplicate vols of the ordinary edition, etc. 12 vols.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris (?). — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2, no. 486 (sold for £3 5s.). — Unlocated.

¶ Morris — Roots of the mountains (1890)

Morris, William. The roots of the mountains. London: Reeves and Turner, 1890.

Inscribed by Morris to Jenny Morris.

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Mark Samuel Lasner. — Mark Samuels Lasner Collection, University of Delaware.

Digital version: HathiTrust.

¶ Webster — Book of rhyme (1881)

Webster, Augusta. A book of rhyme. London: Macmillan, 1881.

Inscribed by Webster to Jane Morris.

Provenance: Augusta Webster. — Jane Morris. — Mark Samuels Lasner. — Mark Samuels Lasner Collection, University of Delaware Library.

¶ Blunt — Esther (1895)

Blunt, Wilfrid Scawen. Esther: a young man’s tragedy, together with the Love sonnets of Proteus. Boston: Copeland and Day, 1895.

Inscribed “Jane Morris, from Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, Newbuildings Place, May 30, 1896.”

Provenance: Blunt. — Jane Morris. — Mark Samuels Lasner. — Mark Samuels Lasner Collection, University of Delaware Library (Books A-Z PR4149.B8 E8x 1895 ).

Digital version: Google.

¶ Magnússon — Volsünga saga (1870)

Magnússon, Eiríkr, and William Morris, trans. Volsünga saga. The story of the Volsungs and Niblungs, with certain songs from the elder Edda. London: F. S. Ellis, 1870.

Large paper; presentation copy from Morris to unidentified recipient (probably Jane Morris), in a binding designed by Elizabeth Burden (Jane’s sister) and executed by T. J. Cobden-Sanderson. Two pages of the book are decorated by Morris.

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris (?). — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2, lot 471 (perhaps sold for £22; in the British Library copy of the catalogue, the lot is marked both “Sell” and “Keep”). — Unlocated.

Reference: LeMire, p. 51.

¶ Chaucer — Works (1896)

Chaucer, Geoffrey. The works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Ed. F. S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896.

Illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones. Presented by Jane Morris to Exeter College Library, 7 November 1896, with a note by Sydney Cockerell: “This is the first bound copy of the Chaucer. It was delivered to William Morris on Tuesday June 2nd 1896.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris. — Exeter College Library, Oxford University (9 YHM 55c.1.).

Reference: Bibliography, A40.

¶ Ptolemy — Cosmographia (1486)

Ptolemy [Claudius Ptolomaeus]. Cosmographia. Trans. Jacobus Angelus. Ulm: Johann Reger, for Justus de Albano, 21 July 1486.

Illustrated. Inscribed “to E Burne-Jones from William Morris Feb: 10th 1895.”

Provenance: Sunderland Library, Blenheim Palace. — Quaritch (purchased in 1882). — Morris. — Edward Burne-Jones (gift from Morris, 1895). — Maritime Museum, Rotterdam (WAE56).

References: ISTC (ip01085000). — MS catalogue (2), no. 985 (with one X beside the title).

Digital version: BSB. — The Maritime Museum also offers seven digital images from Morris’s copy.

Maritime Museum

¶ Laxdaela-Saga (1826)

Laxdaela-Saga. Copenhagen: sumtibus Legati Magnæani ex typographeo H. F. Popp, 1826.

Presentation inscription from Morris to Forman.

Provenance: Morris. — Harry Buxton Forman — William F. Gable. — Elizabeth Wade White. — Beinecke Library, Yale University (BEIN 1976 59).

Digital versions: Google. — HathiTrust.

¶ Savonarola — Epistola de contemptu mundi (1894)

Savonarola, Girolamo. Epistola de contemptu mundi di frate Hieronymo da Ferrara dellordine de frati predicatori la quale manda. Ed. Charles Fairfax Murray. London: Kelmscott Press, 1894.

Inscribed “To Wm. Morris from C. F. Murray Dec/94.”

Provenance: C. F. Murray. — Morris. — Freeman Bass. — Mark Samuels Lasner (purchased for him by Maggs at a London auction). — Mark Samuels Lasner Collection, University of Delaware Library.

Reference: Bibliography, A31.

¶ Rossetti — Early Italian poets (1861)

Rossetti, Dante Gabriel, trans. The early Italian poets from Ciullo d’Alcamo to Dante Alighieri (1100–1200–1300) in the original metres. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1861.

Inscribed “To William Morris from his friend D G Rossetti Xmas 1861.”

Provenance: D. G. Rossetti. — Morris. — Mark Samuels Lasner. — Mark Samuels Lasner Collection, University of Delaware.

Digital version: HathiTrust.

Neale — Good King Wenceslas (1895)

Neale, John Mason. Good King Wenceslas: a carol. Birmingham: Messrs. Cornish Brothers, 1895.

Inscribed “To William Morris, from Arthur J. Gaskin. Nov. 1894.” Large paper. Illustrated by Arthur J. Gaskin; introduction by Morris.

Provenance: A. J. Gaskin. — Morris. — Mark Samuels Lasner. — Mark Samuels Lasner Collection, University of Delaware Library.

Hyndman — Economics of Socialism (1896)

Hyndman, H. M. The economics of socialism, being a series of seven lectures on political economy. London: Twentieth Century Press, [1896].

Inscribed “William Morris with the Author’s sincere regards.”

Provenance: H. M. Hyndman. — Morris. — Raphael Edmonds. — Mark Samuels Lasner. — Mark Samuels Lasner Collection, University of Delaware Library.

¶ Steele — Huon of Bordeaux (1895)

Steele, Robert, ed. Huon of Bordeaux, done into English by Sir John Bourchier, Lord Berners, and now retold by Robert Steele. London: George Allen, 1895.

Inscribed “William Morris from Robert Steele.” Illustrated by Fred Mason.

Provenance: Robert Steele. — Morris. — Richard Bennett. — Sotheby 1898, lot 491 (sold to Tregaskis for 17s.). — Edwin N. Lapham. — Lapham’s sale, Anderson Auction Co., 1–3 December 1908, lot 962 (sold for $11) [HathiTrust] . — John Quinn. — Mark Samuels Lasner. — Mark Samuels Lasner Collection, University of Delaware Library.

Digital versions: Google. — HathiTrust.

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Sotheby 1898:

¶ Shakespeare — Poems (1893)

Shakespeare, William. The poems of William Shakespeare. Ed. Frederick S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1893.

Presentation copy from Morris to Ellis (see below).

Provenance: Morris. — F. S. Ellis. — Folger Shakespeare Library (PR2841 .A37 Sh.Col.).

Photo by WSP

 

 

¶ Morris — Life and death of Jason (1869)

Morris, William. The life and death of Jason. 4th ed. London: F. S. Ellis, [1869].

Inscribed “Jane Morris with the Authors best love. December 10th 1869.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris. — May Morris. — Oxford University [bequest of May Morris]. — Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor).

Reference: LeMire, p. 18.

Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor)

Photographs by WSP

¶ Vegio and St. Basil

[1] Vegio, Maffeo [Maphaeus Vegius]. Philalethes. [Nuremberg: Johann Müller, c. 1474–75.]

References: Fairfax Murray Catalogue (German) 2, no. 458. — ISTC (iv00114000).

Digital version: BSB.

[2] Basil, Saint [Basilius Magnus]. De legendis antiquorum libris. [Nuremberg : Johann Müller, c. 1474.]

References: Fairfax Murray Catalogue (German) 2, no. 421. — ISTC (ib00272000).

Digital version: BSB.

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Inscribed “to Charles Fairfax Murray from William Morris 1895.”.

Provenance: Benedictbeuren Abbey near Munich. — Morris. — Charles Fairfax Murray (gift from Morris, 1895). — Sotheby, 18 July 1919 (sold to Quaritch for £11). — Volbehr. — Huntington Library (84743) and Huntington Library (84744) [purchased from Volbehr, 21 March 1925].

¶ Morris — Earthly paradise (1868–70)

Morris, William. The earthly paradise. 6 vols. London: F. S. Ellis, 1868–70.

Large paper; presentation copy to Jane Morris.

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris. — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2, lot 467 (bought in for £28). — Unlocated.

¶ Morris — Dream of John Ball (1888)

Morris, William. A dream of John Ball, and A king’s lesson. London: Reeves & Turner, 1888.

Illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones. Large paper, inscribed (probably to Jane Morris).

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris (?). — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2 (part; bought in for £13). — Unlocated.

¶ Morris — Saga library (1891–96)

Morris, William, and Eiríkr Magnússon, trans. The saga library. 6 vols. London: Bernard Quaritch, 1891–96.

Large paper. Presentation copy to Jane Morris.

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris. — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2, no. 485 (bought in for £21). — Unlocated.

¶ Morris — Sigurd the Volsung (1887)

Morris, William. The story of Sigurd the Volsung and the fall of the Niblungs. 4th ed. London: Reeves and Turner, 1887.

Large paper. Presentation copy to either Jane or May Morris.

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris (?). — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2, lot 475 (part; bought in for £15 10s.).

Reference: LeMire, p. 71.

¶ Morris — Dream of John Ball (1892)

Morris, William. A dream of John Ball, and A king’s lesson. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892.

Presentation copy to Jane Morris.

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris. — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2, lot 479 (part; bought in for £12 10s.). — Unlocated.

Reference: Bibliography, A6.

¶ Platina — De flosculis linguae latinae (1481)

Platina [Bartholomaeus Platina]. De flosculis linguae latinae. Ed. Petrus Augustinus Philelphus. Milan: Antonius Zarotus for Johannes de Legnano, 18 August 1481.

Inscription by Sydney Cockerell, 1892 (“bought of WM”) and this note: “I lent William Morris ten shillings and instead of returning the money he gave me this book” (Under the Hammer, p. 174).

Provenance: Hopetoun House Library, Scotland. — Sotheby, February 1889. — Morris. — Sydney Cockerell. — Clifford Rattey. — David Jackson McWilliams. — Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas (Incun 1481 P696d) [bequest of McWilliams].

References: ISTC (ip00760000). — MS catalogue (2), no. 865 (with two X’s beside the title).

¶ Ochsenbrunner — Priscorum heroum stemmata (1494)

Ochsenbrunner, Thomas. Priscorum heroum stemmata. Rome: Johann Besicken and Sigismundus Mayer, 18 February 1494.

Inscriptions on flyleaf: “Philip Webb from W.M.” and “Emery Walker from P.W. 1915.” Illustrated.

Provenance: Morris. — Philip Webb. — Emery Walker. — Dorothy Walker. — Bodleian Library (Don. e.56) [gift from Dorothy Walker, presented through the Friends of the Bodleian, October 1934].

Reference: ISTC (io00007000).

Digital version: BSB.

¶ Schedel — Liber chronicarum (1493)

Schedel, Hartmann. Liber chronicarum. Nuremberg: Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 12 July 1493.

With Morris’s signature and address of Red House, Upton, Kent, which indicates that he acquired it before 1865. Inscribed “William and Lucy Rossetti from William Morris, Mch 31st, 1874” and “This was Morris’s wedding present to us. W.M.R. 1905.”

Provenance: Morris. — William and Lucy Rossetti (gift from Morris, 31 March 1874). — David Gage Joyce. — Joyce sale, Hanzel Galleries (Chicago), 22–23 September 1973, lot 65 (sold for $9,500). — Sotheby, 10 December 1999, lot 149 (sold for £17,250). — Unlocated.

Reference: ISTC (is00307000).

Digital version: BSB.

¶ Morris — Earthly paradise (1870)

Morris, William. The earthly paradise: a poem. 4 vols. London: Ellis and White, 1870.

Presentation copy to Jane and May Morris, with a 40-line MS poem by Morris inserted in vol. 1.

Provenance: Morris. — Jane and May Morris. — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2 (bought in for £12 10s.). — Unlocated.

¶ Morris — Life and death of Jason (1869)

Morris, William. The life and death of Jason: a poem. London: F. S. Ellis, 1869.

Presentation copy to Jane Morris.

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris. — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2, lot 473 (bought in for £18 10s.) — Unlocated.

¶ Hommaire de Hell — Voyage en Turquie et en Perse (1854–60)

Hommaire de Hell, Xavier. Voyage en Turquie et en Perse. 5 vols. Paris: P. Bertrand, 1854–60.

Illustrated. Note on endpaper: “Presentation copy from author, but not to Morris as stated in sale catalogue.”

Provenance: Morris. — Richard Bennett. — Sotheby 1898, lot 604 (sold to Henry Wellcome for £3 10s.). — Henry Wellcome. — Wellcome Library (Closed stores Orient. Topog. 2241).

References: MS catalogue (2), nos. 323 and 853. [It is not clear whether Morris owned two copies of the book or one book was entered twice in the catalogue.]

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Sotheby 1898:

¶ Morris — Tale of the house of the Wolfings (1889)

Morris, William. A tale of the house of the Wolfings. London: Reeves and Turner, 1889.

Large paper copy. Perhaps a gift from Morris to either his wife or daughter.

Provenance: Morris (?). — Jane Morris (?). — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2, lot 482 (part). — Unlocated.

Reference: LeMire, p. 127.

¶ Morris — Signs of change (1888)

Morris, William. Signs of change: seven lectures delivered on various occasions. London: Reeves & Turner, 1888.

Inscribed copy, presumably to Jane Morris.

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris. — May Morris. — Mary Lobb. — Lobb sale 2, lot 482 (part). — Unlocated.

Reference: LeMire, p. 125.

¶ Morris — Well at the world’s end (1896)

Morris, William. The well at the World’s end. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896.

Inscribed “to Jenny from William Morris with best love May 23rd 1896.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A39.

¶ Morris — Life and death of Jason (1895)

Morris, William. The life and death of Jason: a poem. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1895.

Inscribed “to Jenny with WM’s best love June 29th 1895.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A34.

¶ Morris — Child Christopher (1895)

Morris, William. Child Christopher and Goldilind the fair. 2 vols. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1895.

Inscribed “to Jenny With WMs’ [sic] best love Kelmscott September 11th 1895.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A35.

¶ Laudes beatae Mariae Virginis (1896)

Laudes beatae Mariae Virginis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896.

Since the book was published on 7 August 1896, two months before Morris’s death (3 October), Jenny Morris’s copy may well have come from him, but there is no inscription, probably because by then he was very ill.

Provenance: Morris (?). — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A42.

¶ Jacobus, de Voragine — Golden legend (1892)

Jacobus, de Voragine. The golden legend. Trans. William Caxton and ed. F. S. Ellis. 3 vols. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892.

Inscribed “To Jenny With WM’s best love October 28th 1892.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A7.

¶ Chaucer — Works (1896)

Chaucer, Geoffrey. The works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Ed. F. S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896.

Illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones. Inscribed “to Jenny With WM’s best love June 6th 1896.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A40.

¶ Blunt — Love-lyrics and songs of Proteus (1892)

Blunt, Wilfrid Scawen. The love-lyrics and songs of Proteus. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892.

No inscription or mark of ownership.

Provenance: Morris (?). — Jenny Morris (?). — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A3.

¶ Shakespeare — Poems (1893)

Shakespeare, William. The Poems of William Shakespeare. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1893.

Inscribed “to Jenny With WM’s best love Feb: 17th 1893.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum
[bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A11.

¶ Keats — Poems (1894)

Keats, John. Poems. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1894.

Inscribed “To Jenny With WM’s best love May 8th 1894.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum
[bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A24.

¶ Ellis — Psalmi penitentiales (1894)

Ellis, F. S., ed. Psalmi penitentiales. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1894.

Inscribed “to Jenny With WM’s best love Dec: 8th 1894.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A30.

¶ Chrétien, de Troyes — Syr Perecyvelle of Gales (1895)

Chrétien, de Troyes. Syr Perecyvelle of Gales. Ed. F. S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1895.

Inscribed “to Jenny With WM’s best love May 3rd 1895.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A33.

¶ Coleridge — Poems (1896)

Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. Poems chosen out of the works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Ed. F. S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896.

Inscribed “to Jenny from WM with best love April 2nd 1896.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum
[bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A38.

¶ Savonarola — Epistola de contemptu mundi (1894)

Savonarola, Girolamo. Epistola de contemptu mundi di frate Hieronymo da Ferrara dellordine de frati predicatori la quale manda. Ed. Charles Fairfax Murray. London: Kelmscott Press, 1894.

Inscribed “to Jenny With Wm’s best love Jan: 29th 1895.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A31.

¶ Ellis — Sire Degrevaunt (1896)

Ellis, F. S., ed. Sire Degrevaunt. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896.

No inscription (just Jenny Morris’s initials on endpaper), but possibly a presentation copy from her father.

Provenance: Morris (?). — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A47.

¶ Caxton — History of Godefroy of Boloyne (1893)

Caxton, William, trans. The history of Godefroy of Boloyne and of the conquest of Iherusalem. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1893.

Inscribed “To Jenny Morris from WM with best love In April 1893 (but this was written on March 6th. 1894).”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A15.

¶ Morris — Dream of John Ball (1892)

Morris, William. A dream of John Ball and a king’s lesson. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892.

Inscribed “to Jenny with WM’s best love Oct 28th 1892.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum
[bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A6.

¶ Clanvowe — Floure and the leafe (1896)

Clanvowe, Sir Thomas. The floure and the leafe, and The boke of Cupide, god of love, or The Cuckow and the nightingale. Ed. F. S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896.

Published shortly before Morris’s death, so it is possible that he gave this copy to his daughter.

Provenance: Morris (?). — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A43.

¶ Cavendish — Life of Thomas Wolsey (1893)

Cavendish, George. The life of Thomas Wolsey, Cardinal Archbishop of York. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1893.

Inscribed “to Jenny with WM’s best love May 4th 1893.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A14.

¶ Ruskin — Nature of gothic (1892)

Ruskin, John. The nature of gothic: a chapter of The stones of Venice. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892.

Inscribed “to Jenny With William Morris’ best love April 2nd 1892.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A4.

¶ Morris — Poems by the way (1891)

Morris, William. Poems by the way. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1891.

Inscribed “to Jenny Morris with William Morris best love. Kelmscott Nov: 1891.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum [bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A2.

¶ Morris — Defence of Guenevere (1892)

Morris, William. The defence of Guenevere, and other poems. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892.

Inscribed “to Jenny from William Morris May 26th 1892.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jenny Morris. — Fitzwilliam Museum
[bequest of Jenny Morris, 1935].

Reference: Bibliography, A5.