THE STORY OF SIGURD THE VOLSUNG AND THE FALL OF THE NIBLUNGS by (KELMSCOTT PRESS). MORRIS, WILLIAM - 1898

Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1898. ONE OF 160 COPIES on paper (and six on vellum). 330 x 245 mm. (13 x 9 1/2"). 4 p.l., 207, [3] pp. Original limp vellum, six silk ties, gilt titling on spine. With woodcut initials and border decorations, two double-page borders designed by Morris, and two full-page woodcuts by Sir Edward Burne-Jones. Peterson A-50; Sparling 50. A little mild soiling to vellum, otherwise A CHOICE COPY, clean, fresh, and bright inside and out. This is the Kelmscott edition of Morris' favorite of his own writings, a Nordic epic inspired by his trip to Iceland in 1871. According to Sparling, the borders here were among the last Morris designed, and were inspired by the decoration in two 13th century psalters in Morris' library. Morris began planning to do an edition of "Sigurd" soon after the founding of the press, but it did not come to pass until after his death. This is one of the scarcer Kelmscott volumes, and this copy is in particularly desirable condition.