Books

A lovely volume of the Traveller's Edition, in an elaborate and entirely appropriate Italian tourist binding. These works were produced as souvenirs for English-speaking visitors on the continent replicating the common route of Grand Tours. Octavo (182 x 123 mm). Contemporary Italian hand-painted parchment, gilt, red, blue, and black foliate design to spine and rear cover, front cover with calligraphic title and elaborate foliate multicolour surrounds, gilt raised dot work embellishments and circular panel surrounding design of the Bridge of Sighs, board edges partially bevelled, gilt floral patterned endpapers, top edge of book block gauffered in gilt with dot design, white suede ties. Half-tone portrait frontispiece of Ruskin with tissue guard, title page printed in red and black within illustrated border, decorative head- and tailpieces. Gift inscription dated 1908 to verso of first blank. Binding rubbed but bright, spine a touch toned, loss to a gilt dot, contents fresh. A very good copy. Wise 300 (for the first British Traveller's Edition).