Limited to 500 paper copies (no vellum copies). Three large quarto volumes (11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches; 290 x 208 mm). xii, [2], 103, [4, blank], [1], [105]-244, [1, blank], [1], [245]-464; [1, blank], [1], 465-864; [1, blank], [1], 865-1286, [2, blank] pp. Printed in Golden type. Two wood-engraved illustrations designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones. Decorative woodcut borders and initials. Edited by Frederick S. Ellis and printed by William Morris at the Kelmscott Press. With a printed slip tipped in at front endpapers of Volume I: “IF this book be bound the edges of the leaves should only be TRIMMED, not cut. In no case should the book be pressed, as that would destroy the ‘impression’ of the type and thus injure the appearance of the printing. W. MORRIS.”

Original quarter holland over blue boards with printed spine paper labels. Edges uncut and largely unopened. Label of volume one with a tiny chip, barely affecting the text. Edges a bit rubbed and bumped. Boards with a few spots of soiling. Endpapers very slightly toned. Overall a very good copy.

“The Golden Legend, a mediaeval collection of saints’ lives, held great appeal for Morris...It was intended to be the earliest book produced at the KP, but because of its length and some problems with the first delivery of paper from Batchelor, Morris was forced to issue several shorter volumes before it was completed” (Peterson).

Clark Library, Kelmscott and Doves, pp. 17-18 (“The woodcut title is the first one designed by William Morris”). Peterson A7. Ransom, Private Presses, p. 325, no. 7. Sparling 7. Tomkinson, p. 109, no. 7.

HBS # 65758 $7,500