Letters from John Ruskin to Rev. J. P. Faunthorpe, M.A. Edited by Thomas J. Wise

London: Privately printed 1895/1896, 1895. First edition. 2 vols., 8vo, pp. xvi, 98, [1]; xii, 97, [1]. 2 plates: 'The May Queen's Dress' designed by Kate Greenaway, and 'The May Queen's Golden Cross' designed by Arthur Severn. Original brown cloth over bevelled boards, spines gilt-lettered, edges uncut. "New University Club" circular blindstamps on titles. Spines rubbed at extremities and slightly darkened, a very good copy. Presentation copy from Thomas J. Wise, with his inscriptions on the half-titles dated 20 August 1895 and 6 September 1896 respectively, the recipient's name erased in both cases. Faunthorpe was Principal of Whitelands College. Two of Ruskin's postscripts, mentioning his abhorrence of "study of… the Act of Copulation, and the process of Generation in the Womb" and the difficulties of kissing while wearing a moustache, were censored from this printing, allegedly at Ruskin's request, although it seems more likely that it was Faunthorpe, the supplier of the letters, who was nervous about Wise reprinting those passages. Ashley IV, p. 191; Todd, Centenary Studies, 215d.