Detailed Photos of the Two Trial Pages for the Kelmscott Froissart

Detailed Photos of the Two Trial Pages for the Kelmscott Froissart

Detailed Photos of the Two Trial Pages for the Kelmscott Froissart

We recently acquired a wonderful Kelmscott piece and thought it might be nice to preserve the pictures on this blog before it sells. As always, it's a fabulous work of book art. Everything about it speaks volumes for the care Morris and his team put into their work. Jean Froissart (c1337-c1405) recorded details of the 100 Years' War. The book, in its entirety, is an important document describing not just the war but medieval life. The full catalogue description is:

London, Kelmscott Press, 1897. Limited Edition. Unbound. Two trial pages, one sheet. One of 160 copies. 

Near fine with just a little toning here and there. In an early, if not original frame. Printed in black and red on vellum in Troy and Chaucer type. Wood-engraved borders bearing the arms of France, England, the Empire, Reginald Lord Cobham, Sir Walter Manny and Sir John Chandos. A couple of labels pasted to the rear frame giving a little outline of the sales history. The left page with large wood-engraved decoration at foot, one large initial and three smaller ones, the second page with wood-engraved border incorporating a large letter T, one large initial and three smaller ones, all designed by William Morris. Peterson A46. 

Four auction sales this century: 2013 at £21,960, 2014 at £17,686, 2012 at £15,860 and 2004 at £8,604

Pictures:

Sheet in full


Sheet in the frame


Detail


Title Plate


Cut out on rear of frame, with a couple of old seller's catalogue entries pasted to frame.