Rossetti's Collected Works, Volumes I and II, 1870, from my private collection. The books were featured in The Cult of Beauty Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900 exhibition earlier this year at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. I purchased them from Liberty's 2011 Annual Arts & Crafts Selling Exhibition in London. I am mad about Arts & Crafts design and am lucky to own a few original pieces.
A page scanned from Stephen Calloway's book The Cult of Beauty, which accompanied the V&A exhibition. The poet and painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti's books are blocked in gold on blue-green publishers' cloth (pictured upper left). Algernon Swinburne's 1873 Songs before Sunrise (upper right) was also designed by Rossetti. Love Is Enough was written and designed by William Morris in 1873 (bottom left). Architect Philip Webb designed Morris's book Volsunga Saga: The Story of the Volsungs and Niblungs, published in 1870 (bottom right).
These books were featured in Liberty's 2011 Arts & Crafts Selling Exhibition. The book at right - The Roots of the Mountains - was written by William Morris and is extremely rare. It is a first limited edition of 250 copies, printed on Whatman paper and bound in original Merton Abbey block-printed linen “Honeysuckle” designed by William Morris. The book is inscribed ‘with love,’ possibly by Morris. It was printed at the Chiswick Press and published by Reeves & Turner, London, 1890. The book was also exhibited at the 1890 Arts & Crafts Exhibition.
Liberty's Arts & Crafts Yuletide Selling Exhibition is currently underway on the 4th floor through Saturday, December 24th.
The Guardian has a fascinating article about making beautiful books in an era of e-books. When traveling, I read books via Kindle. But in my home, an electronic device never will replace actual books.
I have an antique iron book press from Scotland. Every time I glance at it, I am reminded of the care and attention with which so many beautiful books once were made by hand. It's a part of history I'd like to help preserve.
Absolutely fascinating. Old, beautiful books are beyond value.
Posted by: Natalie | 05 December 2011 at 23:26
Tara, these are stunning. I didn't realize you had such a beautiful and special collection. I still haven't gone Kindle, but when I do, I know I'll never be able to forsake the joy of turning a page. And when they are filled with the energy of someone having done that before in the book's previous life, all the better. I'll look forward to linking to your article. That's my kind of thing.
Posted by: jeanie | 04 December 2011 at 17:14
Perhaps I am rare in my generation but I love having books around me. Problem is I so rarely read them. Never-the-less I habitually but them. I recently started a personal policy that I wont buy a book unless it is autographed, which stops me from buying a lot of junk I would otherwise clutter my life with.
I find I read much faster when I am reading on a screen than when reading on paper, to the point that I adamantly refuse to read anything in a print newspaper.
You might enjoy this article on crack, although as a lover of old books you might scream a little. http://www.cracked.com/article_19453_6-reasons-were-in-another-book-burning-period-in-history.html
Posted by: Jordan Drew | 04 December 2011 at 08:54
Tara these are truly incredible; thank you so much for sharing!
Please Come and enter in Our 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways. There are so many exciting & special Gifts! (Some are international)
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Posted by: Karena | 04 December 2011 at 04:52
Oh the beauty of fine old books! I love to read old books, the smell and feel of the papers, wondering how many people over the years have read and enjoyed this same book.
Posted by: martina | 04 December 2011 at 03:35
I long ago quit making excuses for all the books in my home. The examples shown here are incredible, truly beautiful. I am a rabid William Morris fan and the Honeysuckle pattern on the cover of the last book is so neat! I read a quote from a magazine once I will paraphrase: I have done my job as a parent if my child's idea of redecorating means adding more bookcases. I whole heartily agree.
Posted by: Mary H. | 03 December 2011 at 21:32
These books are just gorgeous! There definitely is something special about holding a book in hand.
Posted by: Marilyn | 03 December 2011 at 15:11