¶ Bible (14th century) [MS]

Bible.

Illuminated manscript. Southern France, late 13th century. 387 leaves.

With a bibliographical note by Sydney Cockerell and a typed poem about the book, signed F.C.B., entitled “A 13th. Century Vulgate.”

Provenance: Morris. — Richard Bennett. — Sotheby 1898, lot 38 (sold to Heppenstal for £18). — C. W. Dyson Perrins. —Perrins sale, Sotheby, 15 June 1907, lot 56. — Charles Butler. — Butler sale, Sotheby, 18 March 1912, lot 2171. — W. E. Moss. — Moss sale, Sotheby, 2 March 1937, lot 99. — Sir George H. Radford. — Ursula Radford. — Society of Antiquaries of London (MS 956) [by bequest from Ursula Radford; presented by her niece, Mrs. Chloe Morton, 6 October 1994]. (There is a problem in this provenance: W. E. Moss is described as an owner in a 1937 Sotheby sale, but Sir George Radford had died in 1917, and the book seems to have remained in his family until 1994.)

References: Ellis valuation, fol. 2, no. 23 (£100) [?]. —  National Archives. — Schoenberg (SDBM_MS_2459).

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Sotheby 1898:

¶ 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

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

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

Vellum copy. No inscription. Note at end: “Blemished copy | S C Cockerell.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A39.

¶ Herrick — Poems (1895)

Herrick, Robert. Poems chosen out of the works of Robert Herrick. Ed. F. S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1895.

Note at back: “Blemished copy | S C Cockerell.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris. — May Morris. — Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor).

Reference: Bibliography, A37.

¶ Field — Chromatography (1869?)

Field, George. Field’s chromatography, or treatise on colours and pigments as used by artists. Rev. by Thomas W. Salter. London: Winsor & Newton, [1869?].

Notes on endpapers: “McMinn 8 July 1933” and “Morris & Company 26 Queen Square for the use of the Shop.” Initials “S.S.G.” at front and back of book.

Provenance: Morris (?). — Morris & Co. — Ney L. MacMinn (acquired 1933?). — Society of Antiquaries (Kelmscott Manor) [gift of MacMinn].

¶ Morris — Story of Howard the halt (1891)

Morris, William, and Eiríkr Magnússon, trans. The story of Howard the halt. The story of the banded men. The story of Hen Thorir. Saga library, vol. 1. London: Bernard Quaritch, 1891.

Large paper edition. Inscribed “to Janey with Morris’ best love Christmas 1890.”

Provenance: Morris. — Jane Morris (gift, Christmas, 1890). — May Morris. — Oxford University [bequest of May Morris]. — Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor).

Reference: LeMire, p. 149.

¶ Dumas — Oeuvres complétes (1860–81)

Dumas, Alexandre. Oeuvres complétes. 17 vols. Paris: Calman Lévy and Michel Lévy, 1860–81.

Signed “Jane Morris” or “Jane Morris Kelmscott” in some volumes. The set is apparently incomplete.

We have also listed below the unlocated individual works by Dumas that are listed in MS catalogue (2); since the publication dates are not supplied for those titles, we are in some cases uncertain whether they were separately published volumes or are a part of the Oeuvres complétes. The one thing that is clear is that Morris himself owned, and presumably read, many of Dumas’ novels, and after his death most or all of those volumes were transferred (probably by Cockerell) to Jane Morris.

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

References: MS catalogue (2), no. 654 [Le collier de la reine]. — No. 655 [Vingt ans après]. — No. 656 [Les trois mousquetaires]. — No. 657 [Le vicomte de Bragelonne]. — No. 658 [La dame de Monsoreau]. — No. 659 [La comtesse de Charny]. — No. 661 [La reine Margot].

¶ Dumas — Ange Pitou (1873)

Dumas, A. Ange Pitou. 2 vols. in 1. Paris: Michel Lévy Freres, 1873.

“Kelmscott” written on endpaper. Signed “Jenny” [or “Janey”?] on half-title.

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

¶ Dumas — Black (1893)

Dumas, Alexandre. Black. Paris: Calmann-Lévy, 1893.

Signed “Jane Morris.”

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

¶ Dumas — Balsamo (1872–1881)

Dumas, Alexandre. Joseph Balsamo. 5 vols in 2. Paris: Calmann-Lévy, 1872–1881.

No inscription or signature.

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), no. 653.

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

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

Inscribed “to May with WM’s best love May 23rd 1896.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A39.

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

Morris, William. A tale of the house of the Wolfings and all the kindreds of the mark. 2 vols. London: Reeves and Turner, 1889.

Large paper edition. Inscribed “to May from William Morris January 5th 1889.”

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

Reference: LeMire, p. 127.

Digital version: HathiTrust.

¶ Swinburne — Erechtheus (1876)

Swinburne, Algernon C. Erechtheus: a tragedy. London: Chatto and Windus, 1876.

No inscription or signature.

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), no. 224 [2 copies].

Digital version: Google.

¶ Morris — Earthly paradise (1868–70)

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

Inscribed “Jane Morris with the Author’s best love” (vol. 1); “Jane Morris with the authors best love” (vol. 3); “Jane Morris with the authors best love” (vol. 4); “Janey with WM’s love” (vol. 5).

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

Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor)
Photograph by WSP

¶ Morris — Story of the Glittering plain (1894)

Morris, William. The story of the glittering plain. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1894.

Illustrated by Walter Crane. Inscribed “to May from William Morris March 15th 1894.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A22.

¶ Sturluson — Stories of the kings of Norway (1893–1905)

Sturluson, Snorri. The stories of the kings of Norway, called the round world (Heimskringla). Trans. William Morris and Eiríkr Magnússon. 4 vols. Saga library, vols. 3–6. London: Bernard Quaritch, 1893–1905.

Large-paper edition. Vol. 1 inscribed “To Janey with W.M’s best love April 8th 1893.” The last volume was issued after Morris’s death.

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

Reference: LeMire, p. 194.

¶ Morris — Grettis saga (1869)

Magnússon, Eiríkr, and William Morris, trans. Grettis saga. The story of Grettir the strong. London: F. S. Ellis, 1869.

Signed “William Morris.” Signed “McMinn 15 February 1933.”

Provenance: Morris. — Harry Lee. — Ney L. MacMinn. — Society of Antiquaries (Kelmscott Manor) [gift of MacMinn].

References: LeMire, p. 47. — MS catalogue (2), no. 177 (misdated 1879).

Digital version: HathiTrust.

¶ Swinburne — Marino Faliero (1885)

Swinburne, Algernon C. Marino Faliero: a tragedy. London: Chatto & Windus, 1885.

Inscribed “William Morris from his friend A C Swinburne.”

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), no. 593.

Digital version: Google.

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

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

Inscribed “To Janey from William Morris. January 5th 1889.”

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

Reference: LeMire, p. 127.

Digital version: HathiTrust.

¶ Morris — Tale of Beowulf (1895)

Morris, William, and A. J. Wyatt, trans. The tale of Beowulf. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1895.

Inscribed “To May with WM’s best love Feb 7th 1895.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A32.

¶ Swinburne — Poems and ballads (1868)

Swinburne, Algernon C. Poems and ballads. 2nd ed. London: John Camden Hotten, 1868.

Signed “W. Morris” in pencil on title-age. Various pencilled annotations in table of contents and elsewhere.

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

Digital version: Internet Archive.

¶ Morris — Wood beyond the world (1894)

Morris, William. The wood beyond the world. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1894.

Frontispiece by Edward Burne-Jones. Inscribed “to May from William Morris with best love October 20th 1894.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A27.

¶ Morris — Socialism (1893)

Morris, William, and E. Belfort Bax. Socialism: its growth and outcome. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., 1893.

No. 25 of the large paper edition. Inscribed “to Janey with William Morris’ best love December 4th 1893.” Pencilled notes in an unidentified hand on rear endpapers.

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

Reference: LeMire, p. 178.

¶ 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.

Inscribed “Jane Morris from William Morris with best love June 30th 1887.”

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

Reference: LeMire, p. 71.

¶ Morris — Sigurd the Volsung (1877)

Morris, William. The story of Sigurd the Volsung and the fall of the Niblungs. London: Ellis and White, 1877.

Inscribed “to Janey from W.M. Dec: 2nd 1876.”

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

Reference: LeMire, p. 68.

Digital version: HathiTrust.

¶ Morris — Poems by the way (1891)

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

Inscribed “to May Morris with William Morris’ best love Oct 21st 1891.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A2.

¶ Morris — Life and death of Jason (1895)

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

Illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones. Inscribed “to May with WM’s best love July 13th 1895.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A34.

¶ Tennyson — Princess (1854)

Tennyson, Alfred. The princess: a medley. 6th ed. London: Edward Moxon, 1854.

Signed “William Morris Exeter College Oxon.”

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), no. 255.

Swinburne — Tristram of Lyonesse (1882)

Swinburne, Algernon C. Tristram of Lyonesse and other poems. London: Chatto & Windus, 1882.

Inscribed “William Morris from his friend A. C. Swinburne.”

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), no. 229.

Digital version: HathiTrust.

¶ Swinburne — Tale of Balen (1885)

Swinburne, Algernon C. The tale of Balen. London: Chatto & Windus, 1896.

Inscribed “William Morris from A C Swinburne.”

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

¶ Swinburne — Atalanta in Calydon (1894)

Swinburne, Algernon C. Atalanta in Calydon. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1894.

Inscribed “to May from William Morris August 10th 1894.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A25.

¶ Swinburne — Century of roundels (1883)

Swinburne, Algernon C. A century of roundels. London: Chatto & Windus, 1883.

Signed “William Morris from his friend A C Swinburne”.

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), no. 581.

Digital version: HathiTrust.

¶ Ruskin — Nature of Gothic (1892)

Ruskin, John. The nature of Gothic. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892.

Inscribed “to May with William Morris’ best love April 2nd 1892.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A4.

¶ Shelley — Poetical works (1894–95)

Shelley, Percy Bysshe. The poetical works. 3 vols. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1894–95.

Inscribed: “to May with WM’s best love Dec 17th [or 12th?] 1894.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A29.

¶ Morris — Defence of Guenevere (1892)

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

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

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

Reference: Bibliography, A5.

¶ Mattioli — Commentarii (1583)

Mattioli, Pietro Andrea. Commentarii in VI libros Pedacii Dioscoridis Anarzabei de medica materia. Venice: Felice Valgrisi, 1583.

Illustrated. No inscription or signature. Some pressed leaves, and an envelope containing a list of plants in William Morris’ handwriting.

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), fol. 72.

Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor)
Photograph by WSP

¶ Froissart — Chronicles (1812)

Froissart, Jean. Sir John Froissart’s chronicles of England, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Brittany, Flanders and the adjoining countries. Trans. John Bourchier, Lord Berners. 2 vols. London: printed for F. C. and J. Rivington [etc.], 1812.

Both volumes signed “William Morris.”

Provenance: Morris (purchased for £3 12s.). — Jane Morris. — May Morris. — Oxford University [bequest of May Morris]. — Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor).

References: MS catalogue (1), fol. 9. — MS catalogue (2), no. 476.

Digital version: HathiTrust [vol. 2].

¶ Dumas — Les freres Corses (1883)

Dumas, Alexandre. Les freres Corses. Paris: Calmann-Lévy, 1883.

Signed “Jane Morris.”

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

¶ Morris — Dream of John Ball (1892)

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

Frontispiece by Burne-Jones. Inscribed “to May with WM’s best love Oct 5th 1892.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A6.

Tennyson — Poems (1855)

Tennyson, Alfred, Lord. Poems. London: Edward Moxon, 1855.

Signed “William Morris Exeter College Oxon.”

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), no. 253.

¶ Scott — Waverly novels (1829–33)

Scott, Sir Walter. Waverly novels. 48 vols. Edinburgh: Cadell and Co.; London: Simpkin and Marshall, 1829-33. (Later volumes are published by Robert Cadell and Whittaker & Co.)

No inscription or signature. (There are various penciled notes on the back pages of many of these volumes.)

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), fol. 72.

¶ Tennyson — In memoriam (1855)

Tennyson, Alfred, Lord. In memoriam. 6th ed. London: Edward Moxon, 1855.

Signed “William Morris Exeter College Oxon.”

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), no. 254.

¶ Tennyson — Maud (1855)

Tennyson, Alfred, Lord. Maud, and other poems. London: Edward Moxon, 1855.

Signed “William Morris Exeter College Oxon.”

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

¶ Tennyson — Maud (1893)

Tennyson, Alfred. Maud: a monodrama. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1893.

Inscribed “to May from William Morris October 25th.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A17.

¶ Dante — Vita nova (1829)

Dante Alighieri. Vita nova. Pesaro: Tipographia Nobili, 1829.

Inscribed “Jane Morris from DG Rossetti 1878.”

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

Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor)
Photographs by WSP

¶ Llull — Order of chivalry (1892–93)

Llull, Ramón. The order of chivalry. Trans. William Caxton. Ed. F. S. Ellis. [and] L’Ordene de chevalerie. Trans. William Morris. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892–93.

Inscribed “to May with William Morris’ best love May 13th 1893.” Handwritten card detailing publication laid in.

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

Reference: Bibliography, A13.

¶ Caxton — History of Reynard the foxe (1892)

Caxton, William, trans. The history of Reynard the foxe. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892.

Inscribed “to May from William Morris January 31st 1893.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A10.

¶ Caxton — History of Godefrey of Boloyne (1893)

Caxton, William, trans. The history of Godefrey of Boloyne. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1893.

Inscribed “to May with William Morris’ best love July 4th 1893.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A15.

¶ Browning — Poems (1849)

Browning, Robert. Poems. 2 vols. London: Chapman & Hall, 1849.

Signed “W. Morris.”

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

Reference: MS catalogue (2), no. 239.

Digital version: Google [vol. 1].

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

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

Inscribed “May Morris from Wilfrid Scawen Blunt Oct. 30 1900.”

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

Reference: Bibliography, A3.