Morris, William

The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems

London: Bell and Daldy, 1858. Hard Cover. Cloth Boards. FIRST EDITION. Author's first book, published when William Morris was only twenty-four years old. It reflects the influence of medievalism and the Arthurian legends on Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites. It was dedicated to his friend, the artist and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti. An exceptional copy of a book usually found in poor shape, this copy is beautiful. Original brown cloth with gilt title to spine. Tiny piece of bookcloth missing from the foot of spine. Very minor bubbling and light rubbing to front board and some wear to spine ends and corners. Bookplate of previous owner to front pastedown. Interior is overall very clean with bright text, though there are very occasional light spots of foxing to some pages. Tight binding. With tipped-in errata slip. Housed in modern brown cloth slipcase with black leather and gilt title pastedown to spine. Very Good Plus in a Fine Slipcase. 248 pp. MOR/042304. Very Good +.