[Rarebooks] FS - Letters From John Ruskin to Rev. J. P. Faunthorpe, M. A.

[Michael Watson]

Offered today. Pricing reflects a discount to the trade and institutions 
only. Terms below.

FS -

John Ruskin
Thomas J. Wise, editor
Letters From John Ruskin to Rev. J. P. Faunthorpe, M. A.
1896: London, Privately Printed, Limited Edition, small 8vo
Very Good/ No Dust Jackets, as issued

Two volumes of correspondence from John Ruskin to Rev. J. P. Faunthorpe, M. 
A., Principal of Whitelands Training College. Ruskin was a friend of 
Faunthorp and a patron of Whitelands, donating a considerable part of his 
own book collection to the college. Correspondence was centered on Ruskin's 
proposals and opinions about how the college should celebrate May Day, one 
of Ruskin's interests.

Spine states John Ruskin as author. Thomas J. Wise, editor of both volumes. 
Both volumes were printed with the approval of both Ruskin and Faunthorpe, 
as the latter states in Vol 1. Both volumes state "The impression of this 
book is limited to a few copies for private circulation only". Dearden says 
that if Wise's pattern of printing was running consistently these volumes 
were likely to have a limitation of 33 copies each, printed on paper. These 
volumes were of two or three in which Wise failed to include the actual 
limitation.

Wise's Ashley Library device as a colophon after text. Two fly-leaves, in 
both front and back. Half-title. In brown, finely-woven cloth with beveled 
edges. Pastedowns untrimmed on some edges. Some pages uncut. No signatures, 
per se, but bound as a single, folded block.

Volume I, 98 pp, 1895: Reproduces 43 personal letters. Prefatory Note by 
Faunthorpe. Two plates 'The May Queen's Dress' designed by Miss Kate 
Greenaway, and 'The May Queen's Golden Cross' designed by Mr. Arthur 
Severn. Dark brown cloth on beveled boards, gilt spine lettering,  uncut on 
three edges. Text block tight.

Volume I: bumped on spine ends, all corners, front top corner has tiny 
angular break through surface. Fading to spine and left third of front 
cover. Thin, light stain across the head edge of some pages. Two tiny, 
stray marks to limitation page. Faintest soil to pages.

Volume II,  97 pp., 1986: Reproduces 45 letters. Appendix of an address by 
Ruskin to the annual meeting of the Arundel society, transcribed by 
Faunthorpe who was in attendance. Front pastedown bears the bookplate of 
Gregg Johannis Platt of Clifton Lodge, Llandudno (Conwy North Wales, Wales).

Volume II: bumped on spine ends and lower corners, fading and abrasions to 
tail of spine. pages less tight and a bit more edge soil than Vol I. Small 
owner inscription "F Rockhft(?) 1928" to head edge of front pastedown.

Printed in successive years, the two volumes were never offered together, 
originally, and each of these has its own provenance. Both are legitimate 
publications by Wise before he was discredited by his numerous literary 
forgeries. Quite scarce. $700.00 USD for the pair.

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