507, [1] pp. Printed in red and black. With elaborate woodcut border and initial on first page of text, and woodcut borders and initials at the beginning of each chapter, small woodcut initials throughout, Kelmscott device at end; map on front pastedown by H. Cribb. (8vo) 20.5x14.5 cm (8¾x5¾"), original linen-backed boards, printed paper spine label. One of 300 copies printed at the Kelmscott Press.
Exceptional copy, with a number of the woodcut borders and initials hand-illuminated in gold and colors, of William Morris's last romance, the story of two lovers divided by an immense river. It was also the third to last book printed at the Kelmscott Press, produced posthumously under the direction of his daughter May. Because of the failing health of Morris, the last few pages were written down from his dictation by Sydney Cockerell, and the work appeared after Morris's death, being printed from an uncorrected manuscript. The present copy is quite special, with nine of the woodcut borders, nine of the large initials, and ten of the small initials exquisitely illuminated, skillfully executed by hand. Front free endpaper with book label of noted Kelmscott collector Laurence W. Hodson, which was printed for him at the Kelmscott Press. Peterson A-51; Sparling 51.
The illuminated borders are at pp. 54, 97, 150, 157, 211, 222, 240, 256, and 278. The illuminate large initials are at pp. 54, 97, 150, 157, 211, 222, 240, 256, and 278. The illuminated small initials are at pp. 55, 96 (2), 150, 151, 156, 157, 210, 222, and 278.