Child Christopher and Goldilind the Fair: (two-volume set)

London/Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1895. Limited First Edition. hardcover. Near Fine. 6 1/16" × 4 1/16" × 1" (15.4 × 10.3 × 2.5 cm) . First Printing. Printed by and sold by William Morris. 16mo. Bound in publisher's original hardcover quarter Holland-backed blue paper boards, with white linen spine and paper title label. One of 600 [at fifteen shillings] paper copies (plus 12 [at four guineas] on vellum). Printed on fine, hand-made, Batchelor (with the first and second versions of the Primrose watermark) paper. Uncut, deckled edges. Colophon in red. [viii], 1 (title), [ii], 256, [ii]; [iv], 1 (title) [i], 238, 1 (colophon), [iii] pp. Printed in black and red throughout in the Chaucer type designed by Morris for his press. Head-title, shoulder-notes, and colophon in red. Numerous 7- and 3-line woodblock initial capitals all designed by Morris, engraved by William Harcourt Hooper. Woodcut title. The borders (15a and 15) designed by Morris for this book were only used once again, in HAND AND SOUL.The plot of the story was suggested by that of HAVELOK THE DANE, printed by the Early English Text Society.Morris's proto-fantasy novels profoundly influenced later, fellow Oxford writers, C.S. Lewis (THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA) and J.R.R. Tolkien (THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS), helping to pave the way for all modern epic/high fantasy authors.Morris said of this edition, "When you come to look at it, and see that you get a book like this for seven and sixpence a volume[!], it would be impossible to refuse buying them. I love my books, and I love making them, and I think of these, quite the most charming things issued from my press" (Ideal Book). Dated July 25, issued Sept. 25,1895. [Sparling No. 35, p. 161. Peterson A35. MOR/051216.] With the erratum slip that was only "inserted in some copies." Darkened backstrips and paper labels with toning and abrading. No damage or bumping. Wax stain to back cover of vol. II. The text blocks and bindings are tight. No Foxing. Unopened. Condition overall: Near Fine.