Poems Chosen Out of the Works of Robert Herrick. (Kelmscott Press) de Herrick, Robert; Ellis, F.S. (edit.) - 1895

Hammersmith, London: Kelmscott Press, 1895 Hard cover, 8 vo, in a contemporary fine binding of full morocco with five raised bands, each of which is ruled with a hot tool into a hinge shape extending onto the front and rear boards, at each terminal point accentuated by three gilt dots. The turn-ins are ruled with a single band of hot tooling. Marbled end papers, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed, with no book binders signature apparent. Collation xiv, (4), 296 pp., (4), First Edition, limited to 250 copies. Colophon: "Edited by F.S. Ellis from the text of the/ edition put forth by the author in 1648. Printed by William Morris, at the Kelmscott Press, Upper/ Mall, Hammersmith, London, W., and finished/ on the 21st day of November, 1895./ Sold by William Morris at the Kelmscott Press." Printed on Flower paper, in black and red, using Golden typeface. The wood engraved borders and more than three hundred decorative initial capitals all designed by William Morris. **Condition: Near Fine. The endcap at the head of the spine has a barely noticeable split one quarter inch in length and a vague discoloration in the polish which extends from the top of the spine onto rear board. A couple of small indentations and one ink? mark to the rear board. Otherwise, the exterior has some shelf wear at bottom edges, and a sometimes variable patina. The overall effect, however, is of a deep, rich welcoming hue. Boards minimally bowed. Inside, the hinges are in order. There is some offset to the marbled paper from the turn-ins. The overall quality of the workmanship of the binding is superb. The handmade paper is clean and bright, mostly with a charmingly untrimmed "live edge" at the fore. One noted spot of fox ( or other soiling?) affects the margin at p. v, part of the Index of first lines. Includes the stunningly decorated double title page, an index of first lines plus numerous (more than 300) selections from Robert Herrick's most enduring work of poetry, Hesperides, first published in 1648, plus a few selections from the subsection of the latter known as [His] Noble Numbers, which is slightly more sacred in tone. William S. Peterson notes in his Bibliography of the Kelmscott Press (1984) that by two days before publication, only four copies of this volume remained unsold. (p. 95) **English Cavalier Poet Robert Herrick ( 1591-1674) is best known for these lyrical works, which encourage a carpe diem, experiential approach to love and life. This includes the famous "Gather ye Rosebuds while ye may." **One would like to be able to name the bookbinder, it feels like something from the Doves Bindery, but sadly, there is no proof to such assertion. As originally sold in either the standard limp vellum or blue holland covered boards, the Kelmscott volumes were bound at the Doves Bindery. William Peterson mentions that the Doves Bindery did also bind a number of the Kelmscotts to order for Morris's individual customers, so perhaps this was done in this case, as a personal preference of the customer. Its not much to go on. (W. Peterson, The Kelmscott Press, (1991), p. 119. In any case, this remains a beautiful, handmade gift for one's amorata as the nights draw in. Scarce to market. Peterson A37. Ransom, Kelmscott No. 37 (p. 329). . First Edition: one of 250 copies. Hard Cover. Near Fine. Illus. by William Morris.