[Kelmscott Press- ONE OF 45 COPIES ON VELLUM] Gothic Architecture: A Lecture for the Arts and Crafts Exhibition

London: Kelmscott Press, 1893. First Edition. First Edition. 12mo. ONE OF 45 COPIES PRINTED ON REAL VELLUM. First issue, with the mis-prints "gilds" for "guilds" in the shoulder note on p. 41, and "Van Eyk" instead of "Van Eyck" p. 45 line 1. While Peterson notes that all vellum copies had these misprints corrected (as in the second state), that is clearly not the case. Bound in publisher's original hardcover quarter Holland-backed blue paper boards, with white linen spine and black titles to cover. [ii], 1, [i] 68, [viii] pp. Printed in black and red in the Golden type designed by William Morris. Head-title and shoulder-notes in red. Numerous 6- and (truncated) 4-line woodblock initial capitals designed by William Morris, engraved by William Harcourt Hooper. The first appearance of Morris's four-line initials, and also his first book printed in the 16mo format. This lecture was set up at Hammersmith and printed at the New Gallery during the Arts and Crafts Exhibition in October and November, 1893. The first copies were ready on October 21, and the book was twice reprinted before the Exhibition closed. The vellum copies were sold during the Exhibition at ten shillings, and the price was subsequently raised to fifteen shillings. Owner inscription of Halsey Ricardo in fountain pen (on front free fly), the architect and designer who worked in close partnership with William de Morgan, and a lifelong friend of William Morris. Kelmscott printings on vellum are exceedingly scarce and in extreme demand, owing not only to rarity, but also the beauty of having crips registration and solid ink transfer of the beautiful typography, initials, designs and decorations found in Kelmscott Press publications, universally recognized as the foremost Fine Press publisher in modern history. Light dusting to boards, internally fine. Only three copies of the vellum printing of this title have appeared at auction in the past 50 years. (Inventory #: 6500)