THE WOOD BEYOND THE WORLD

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original limp vellum with titles in gilt to the spine, green silk ties. Printed in black and red in Chaucer type on flower paper. Wood-engraved frontispiece after a design by Edward Burne-Jones, facing page with full woodcut page-border, numerous three-quarter and smaller woodcut page-borders, 10-line and smaller initial capitals. A near fine copy, the binding square and tight, the vellum with a little natural patina and a touch of darkening to the spine. Three of the four tie ends have perished. The contents, with the armorial bookplate of Robert Russell Needham Baron to the front pastedown, a previous owner's name to the front endpaper and a couple of isolated foxing spots to the rear blank are otherwise clean throughout. Housed in a bespoke olive green cloth, ribbon pull slipcase.

Published on 16 October 1894 in a limited edition of 350 copies on paper, (there was also an edition of eight copies printed on vellum). A source of inspiration for the modern fantasy genre, 'The Wood Beyond the World' is one of only two texts William Morris wrote specifically for the Kelmscott Press. The novel was a major influence on many writers of fantasy fiction, including C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkein. (Peterson A27).