Books and Manuscripts

Bourdillon, Francis William
Through the Gateway
(London: Essex House Press, 1900). First and limited edition, #33/50 numbered copies. Presentation copy, inscribed and dated by the author on leaf following title-page: "To A.L. Humphrey from F.W. Bourdillon Feb. 1902." 12mo. (vi), 48, 2 pp. Publisher’s vellum-covered boards, stamped in gilt; edges untrimmed; small soiling in gutter, pp. 32-33.

A near-fine presentation copy of the Essex House Press’s tenth publication, inscribed by the author, poet and bibliophile, Francis William Bourdillon, to bookseller and publisher Arther Lee Humphreys, a partner at Hatchards of Piccadilly. The Essex House Press was founded by C.R. Ashbee in 1898 with the aim of continuing the revival of hand-printing led by William Morris and his Kelmscott Press. To that end, following Morris's death, Essex House acquired the Albion press and other equipment used by Kelmscott, and published fine volumes like the above for 12 years, producing 84 titles in total.