The Kelmscott Press and William Morris Master-Craftsman

London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1924. First Edition. hardcover. Very Good+. 9 3/8" × 6 1/8" × 1" (23.8 × 15.6 × 2.5 cm) . First Printing. Printed by R. & R. Clark, Limited, Edinburgh. Tall 8vo. Bound in publisher's original hardcover quarter Holland-backed blue paper boards, with white linen spine and paper title label. Uncut, deckled edges. [ix], [1], 176, [4] pp. Photogravure frontispiece portrait of Morris engraved by Emery Walker from a photograph by Sparling, with tissue guard present. Includes 16 plates and examples of types and illustrations from the Kelmscott Press. Henry Halliday Sparling (1860–1924) provides an informative history of William Morris's Press. Sparling was a former Kelmscott Press employee and as the husband of Morris's daughter, May Morris, from 1890–1898, was keenly familiar with Morris and his Press. Sparling provides a clear account of the day-to-day workings of the Press, as well as a close examination of Morris's intentions and printing achievements. Includes Morris's Note on His Aims in Founding the Kelmscott Press, a description of the Press by Sidney Cockerell, and a bibliographical listing of the books printed at the Press, in the order in which they were issued, annotated and compiled by Cockerell in 1899, along with details of ephemera printed thereat. A postscript records Sparling's death shortly before the book's publication.Publisher's advertisement at end. This association copy includes a clipping from a 1978 Blackwell catalogue showing the book listed as £85, a lose note dated 1987 $125, and a 1988 note indicating is sold for $225. Ink inscription to ffep reads: "To John Henry Nash, scholar and artist, in memory of inspiring hours at the University of Oregon, this little gift expresses the gratitude of his sincere admirer, Eric W. Allen." Marvelous art nouveau ex libris bookplate from the University of California, San Francisco, John Henry Nash Library.Nash was a William Morris scholar and founder of the John Henry Nash Fine Arts Press at the University of Oregon, which published fine press books such as the limited edition quarto edition of WILLIAM MORRIS: AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY WILLIAM MORRIS AT THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES TO STUDENTS OF THE BIRMINGHAM MUNICIPAL SCHOOL OF ART ON FEB. 21, 1894.Allen was editor of the Medford Mail-Tribune from 1968–1985 and was known for his liberal editorials addressed to a conservative community. He was a prominent member of an informal group of progressive editors who were influential in Oregon politics and media after the Second World War. Pencil marks to ffep, otherwise internally clean and free from foxing or other marks. Corners somewhat bumped and chipped. Condition overall: Very Good+.