Grettis Saga.: The Story of Grettir the Strong. Translated from the Icelandic...

London: F. S. Ellis,, 1869. A presentation copy from Eiríkr Magnússon First edition, presentation copy, inscribed by one of the translators on an inserted leaf before the half-title, "To Beresford Hope, Esq. M.P. with kindest regards from Eiríkr Magnússon", together with an autograph letter signed from Morris to Magnússon. The Conservative politician Alexander Beresford Hope (1820–1887) was also known as a writer on architectural, archaeological, and ecclesiastical subjects. William Morris studied Old Norse with Magnússon (1833–1913), an Icelandic scholar at the University of Cambridge. Within a year of Morris starting his studies, teacher and pupil published the present volume, the beginning of a fruitful collaboration. For Morris's biographer Fiona MacCarthy, Old Norse literature and Iceland became so important to Morris between 1868 and 1876 that they were to become a "central obsession" in his life. The undated letter dates from 1868 or 1869, near the beginning of their collaboration. Morris suggests that he visit Cambridge for "the great pleasure of an evening's reading and chat with you". He provides an update on progress ("I have been hard at work with the translations and have come to end of Harald's Saga"), and suggests a new text if his intended reading "doesn't fill my belly or kill you". In addition to his work on the translation, Morris contributed a sonnet which appears before the title page. As Buxton Forman notes, "the sonnet form was an unusual one for Morris". Octavo (215 x 135 mm). Brown morocco by the Club Bindery, dated 1901, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, raised bands, ornate floral border to covers in gilt, marbled endpapers, gilt edges, folding map. Together with an autograph letter signed from Morris to Magnússon, 2 leaves (184 × 117 mm) written on 3 pages, Morris's letterhead (26 Queen Square, Bloomsbury, London, W.C.). Front and rear joints somewhat rubbed, corner and raised bands lightly rubbed, front inner hinge split but tight, tiny repair to inscription leaf, very minor tear to title page, occasional light browning or foxing, else an attractive and very good copy. Autograph letter signed with creases where once folded, single line of rust staining, otherwise very good. Buxton Forman 22; LeMire A-5.01