Beschreibung:

Morris's marked up copy of Sir Thomas More's 'Utopia' for printing the Kelmscott press edition of 1893 [see following lot], text from a nineteenth century reprint of the second edition of 1556, lacking the title and the translator's introduction and pp.73-104 (at the beginning of the second book) but with all the remaining text, William Morris's printer's copy with pencil notes and markings in his hand throughout and his cut signature in ink mounted on front pastedown, also with annotations in ink by the editor F.S.Ellis and his note at end "Read for the press after the old copy by F.S.Ellis & imprinted &c", some light spotting and browning, a few ink smudges and fingerprints in margins, one leaf torn and neatly repaired, one or two small marginal tears, ex-library copy with small old ink stamp at foot of verso of first and final leaves, Robert Proctor's copy with his bookplate and label "Given by Mrs.Proctor in memory of William Morris & of her son Robert Proctor" on front pastedown and with manuscript notes in Sir Sydney Cockerell's hand "The text from which the Kelmscott Press edition of 'Utopia' was set up, with pencil directions as to initials etc. in the autograph of William Morris" on pastedown and "To the Public Library, Chelsea" on front free endpaper, bound in holland-backed blue boards in the style of Kelmscott books, titled in ink manuscript at head with accession number, boards with unobtrusive library blind-stamp, a little soiled and with remains of sticky tape at foot, spine slightly spotted, 8vo, n.d. *** Fascinating insight into the working methods of Morris and the Kelmscott press. Morris has marked up the text indicating the borders to be used ("vine" crossed out and replaced with numbers "6" and "2", 4 and 2 used in the final version) and where to include 3-line or larger initials (for example a "big bloomer" on p.143), ornaments, shoulder-notes etc.. Ellis, as editor, has studied the text in more detail and several times makes a note to consult Morris as to spelling, meaning etc., for instance at the foot of p.120 he underlines "wonders gentilly" and writes in the margin, "refer to Mr.Morris if he would make this 'wondrous'" (it was not changed). Interestingly the printer's name appears at the end as Abraham "Weale" rather than Vele and this misprint is followed in the Kelmscott edition. Peterson quotes a presentation inscription of the book by Ellis, "I cannot help feeling vexed at my name appearing as Editor opposite a palpable misprint of the first printer's name. I did correct it, but my proof was lost and the misprint left." (Peterson A16 notes). Morris owned a copy of the 1556 edition but this reprint was obviously used for marking up the text. Provenance: William Morris (1834-96), writer, artist & designer, printer, manufacturer and socialist, owner of the Kelmscott Press. Robert Proctor (1868-1903), "the great bibliographer", who introduced the revolutionary arrangement of the incunabula in the British and Bodleian libraries by country, city, printer and year, reflecting the spread of printing throughout Europe and thereby advancing the study of early printing. He was a fervent admirer of William Morris and a close friend of Sir Sydney Cockerell; he also designed an elegant Greek typeface. He disappeared whilst on a walking holiday in the Austrian Alps and was never seen again. Many believed he committed suicide, possibly due to declining eyesight, as the day before he left he completed a list of bequests, the item offered here being one of several gifts to different libraries.