1896 First Edition – Of the Decorative Illustration of Books Old and New by Walter Crane
 
A beautifully produced antiquarian illustrated hardback by one of the most celebrated designers of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Richly illustrated throughout, this 1896 first edition contains numerous black-and-white illustrations (some with tissue guards), a decorated title page, and top edge gilt pages.
 
This highly collectible volume is bound in its original cloth over boards, featuring gilt titles to the front and spine, with a charming small gilt illustration on the spine. It was published by George Bell and Sons in York Street, Covent Garden, London, and printed at the Chiswick Press by Charles Whittingham & Co. It forms part of The Ex-Libris Series, edited by Gleeson White.
 
Walter Crane (1845–1915) was a visionary English illustrator, designer, and writer, best known for his work in children’s literature, and as a major influence in the Arts and Crafts Movement. His aesthetic ideals emphasised beauty, craftsmanship, and the unity of art and daily life. This volume reflects Crane’s personal philosophy and his influence on decorative arts and publishing in the late 19th century.
 
This is an exceptionally neat and clean copy for a book nearly 130 years old.
 
The boards and spine remain intact and robust, with minor signs of age: light bumping to corners, a small rip to the bottom corner of the front board, light scratches, marks, edge dents, and mild discolouration.
 
Inside, the pages are bright and tidy, with no pen or pencil writing and no missing pages.
 
There is only the occasional small mark or crease, all minor and not affecting the illustrations or text.
 
Some pages have roughly cut, uneven edges, likely from the book’s original uncut state, a common feature in quality 19th-century printing, giving this volume its authentic charm.
 
All 335 pages are present and securely bound, though there is a slight internal crack in the gutter between some pages. There are no loose pages.
 
This book does not have a dust jacket.
 
Measurements:
Approx. 19.2 cm x 15.2 cm x 4.8 cm
Weight: Approx. 732 grams
 
A true collector’s gem: an elegant and scholarly piece from a key figure in British design history.