A Book of Verse thumbnail 1
A Book of Verse thumbnail 2
+45
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the National Art Library

A Book of Verse

Manuscript
1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Quarto format. Watermark: fleur-de-lis ; 'Cansell 1864'. Calligraphy in ink and gilt. Paginated in gilt.
Drawing in gouache by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and miniatures by Charles Fairfax Murray, some after designs by George Wardle.
Binding: vellum tooled in gold with floral ornaments. Initials of dedicatee, "G.B.J." (Georgina Burne-Jones) at centre of covers, within gilt laurel wreath. Spine gilt with ornaments and lettered. Gilt edges. Typescript note describing repairs to binding dated Feb. 1982, tipped-in (inside back cover)



Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleA Book of Verse (assigned by artist)
Brief description
Manuscript, A book of verse, by William Morris, England, 1870.
Physical description
Quarto format. Watermark: fleur-de-lis ; 'Cansell 1864'. Calligraphy in ink and gilt. Paginated in gilt.
Drawing in gouache by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and miniatures by Charles Fairfax Murray, some after designs by George Wardle.
Binding: vellum tooled in gold with floral ornaments. Initials of dedicatee, "G.B.J." (Georgina Burne-Jones) at centre of covers, within gilt laurel wreath. Spine gilt with ornaments and lettered. Gilt edges. Typescript note describing repairs to binding dated Feb. 1982, tipped-in (inside back cover)

Dimensions
  • Height: 20cm
  • Open width: 28cm
  • Height: 12cm
  • Width: 43cm
  • Open, on cradle depth: 28cm (Note: From BGs Planning folder)
Production typeUnique
Object history
Written and decorated in 1870 for presentation to Lady Burne-Jones.
Purchased in 1953 by the Victoria and Albert Museum with the assistance of the Friends of the National Libraries.
Bibliographic references
  • Whalley, J.I. and V.Kaden (eds.). The universal penman. A survey of western calligraphy from the Roman period to 1980. London: 1980. p. 89.
  • Watson, R. Western Illuminated Manuscripts.Victoria and Albert Museum. A catalogue of works in the National Art Library from the eleventh to the early twentieth century, with a complete account of the George Reid Collection. London, 2011. Vol. 3, pp. TBC.
  • A book of verse: a facsimile of the manuscript written in 1870 by William Morris, J.I. Whalley, London: Scolar Press, 1981.
Other numbers
  • KRP.A.47 - NAL Pressmark
  • 38041800530024 - NAL barcode
Collection
Library number
MSL/1953/131

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 24, 2016
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest