Hammersmith: The Kelmscott Press, 1893. First edition. First Kelmscott edition, one of 300 copies printed on paper; there were also eight on vellum. Octavo. Two woodcut borders, three- to ten-line initials, all engraved by William Harcourt after designs by Morris. Contents printed in red and black in Chaucer type, transcription of title-page on a6r in Troy type. Original limp vellum with yapp edges, smooth spine lettered in gilt in Troy type, edges untrimmed, several gatherings uncut, light blue silk ties. Small faint stain at foot of front cover, loss to one tie, bookseller’s ticket to lower pastedown. Contents crisp and clean. Near Fine.

More’s Utopia was written in Latin and published in Louvain in 1516. This edition follows the text of the first English version, translated by Ralph Robinson and published in 1551; William Morris owned a copy of Robinson’s second edition of 1556. The press began working on this at Cockerell’s suggestion on February 29, 1892, and the book was printed during July and early August 1893.

Peterson notes that, “of the 300 copies issued, forty had been ordered in advance by an Eton master, with the intention of distributing them as prizes among the boys of the college, but when the work appeared with a compromisingly Socialistic introduction by Morris, the order, from motives of prudence, had to be cancelled. However the copies were all disposed of before a year was out, so Morris did not suffer any loss.” Near Fine (Item #6865)