The Nature of Gothic; A Chapter of the Stones of Venice

John Ruskin

Published by The Kelmscott Press, Hammersmith, and published by George Allen, Temple Bar, London, and Sunnyside, Orpington., London, 1892

A landmark in both printing and aesthetics, The Nature of Gothic forms a key chapter from John Ruskin's The Stones of Venice and embodies his passionate argument for the moral and spiritual value of medieval craftsmanship. This 1892 Kelmscott Press edition, printed under the direction of William Morris, is among the press's most celebrated productions - uniting Ruskin's visionary prose with Morris's ideals of beauty, labour, and design. Printed in Golden type on handmade paper, it features exquisite decorative borders and initials designed by Morris, and is bound in full vellum with its four original green cloth ties still present. A fine expression of the Arts and Crafts movement's reverence for honest workmanship and the unity of art and life.

The Stones of Venice was Ruskin's celebrated architectural travel guide, tailored for the practical use of visitors exploring Venice and Verona. Ruskin provided  critical observations and historical context for the benefit of 19th-century travellers - many of whom regarded him as a leading voice in art, morality, and aesthetics.

The Nature of Gothic; A Chapter of the Stones of Venice by John Ruskin.

Published by the Kelmscott Press, Hammersmith, and published by George Allen, Temple Bar, London, and Sunnyside, Orpington. 1892 first edition - limited to 500 unnumbered copies.

A very good copy of this splendid work from the Kelmscott Press. The book is bound in full vellum with its 4 original green cloth cover ties all still present, intact, and in situ. Some fraying to ties' extremities. With gilt titles to spine. Vellum with light wear and mild soiling. With small Yapp flaps to fore-edges.

No bookplates or owner's inscriptions. Boards slightly sprung.

Text is bright and clean throughout and features beautiful woodcuts - the first page of the main text is particularly striking with its elaborate foliate wide decorated borders. The text is free of spotting, with some mild dust-toning to edges. Rough cut fore-edge and lower edge as issued.

There are a couple of small marginal stained areas near the top of the endpaper/pastedown pages.

A very good and complete copy in full vellum, with all four original ties intact, one of the finest expressions of the Kelmscott Press ideal.

Text in English.

(i) + vi + 128pp.

Dimensions: approx 209mm high x 148mm wide x 19mm deep.

Weight: approximately 313g (unpacked). Seller Inventory # LAN10019

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Nature of Gothic; A Chapter of the ...
Publisher: The Kelmscott Press, Hammersmith, and published by George Allen, Temple Bar, London, and Sunnyside, Orpington., London
Publication Date: 1892
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Edition: 1st Edition, Limited Edition