Books

London/Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896. Limited First Edition. limp vellum. Near Fine. Large 4to: 11 13/16 " x 8 5/16" x 2 1/4" (30 x 21.1 x 5.7 cm). Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones. First Printing. Printed by and sold by William Morris. Bound in publisher's original by J. & J. Leighton, with silk ties supplied by Morris & Co., with gilt titles to spine. One of 350 [at five guineas] paper copies (plus 8 [at twenty guineas] on vellum). Printed on fine, hand-made, Batchelor (with the first and second versions of the Primrose watermark) paper, with yapped edges. Uncut, deckled edges. Colophon and the large, floral printer's device designed by Morris (no. 2). [8] + 496 pp. Printed in black and red throughout in double columns with the Chaucer type designed by Morris for his press. Chapter heads and shoulder notes in red. Four large woodcuts designed by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones. Numerous full-page, side, half three-quarter and center woodcut floral borders at chapter headings…

The Well at the World's End is a high fantasy novel by the British artist, designer, poet, and novelist William Morris. It is widely regarded as one of the forerunners to the entire modern fantasy genre, predating works by authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

The first edition can be detected by its imprint from the Kelmscott Press, distinctive Morris-designed typeface, handmade paper, and characteristic blue cloth binding.