Of Kings' Treasuries
London / Edinburgh: George Allen / Ballantyne Press, 1902. 8vo, 8 x 5 3/4 inches (203 x 145 mm), (4), 99, (1) pp. Printed on handmade Arnold paper with a flower and vine border on each page with red initials; publisher's device wood engraved on colophon; yapp edges. Full vellum over boards, stamped in gilt on front cover and spine, all four tan ribbon ties present and in good condition. Minor thumbing on cover, pages clean and bright throughout, with some offset from the printed frames, binding tight, vellum very slightly curled, which is typical.
A handsome production, in the style of William Morris's Kelmscott Press, with elaborate printed borders and dropcaps in red ink, which mirrors Ruskin's interest in the principles of the Arts & Crafts movement.
"Of King's Treasuries" was a lecture delivered by John Ruskin in 1864 in support of a library fund. It explores issues of reading practice, literature (books of the hour vs. books of all time), cultural value and public education. This is a companion piece to his "Of Queens' Gardens" (our inventory nos. 1544 and 1455).
John Ruskin (1819 – 1900) was a writer, philosopher, art critic, and polymath of the Victorian era who promoted reading and proper education for both men and women as the means to fulfill their ultimate purpose.
Condition: Fine.
Item number: 1546
Price: $600.00
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