English: Frontispiece and opening page of a "The Wood Beyond the World".
Author/Contributors: Morris, William, 1834-1896.; Burne-Jones, Edward Coley, 1833-1898 ill.; Morris, William, 1834-1896. printer.; Kelmscott Press. printer.; J. & J. Leighton. binder.
Notes:
"Made by William Morris and printed by him at the Kelmscott Press, Upper Mall, Hammersmith. Finished the 30th day of May, 1894. Sold by William Morris at the Kelmscott Press"--Colophon.
Text printed in Chaucer type. Chapter titles and shoulder notes printed in red, printed on watermarked Flower paper. Ornate woodcut initials and half borders, side and corner borders throughout text. Cf. Peterson.
Engraved ill. (woodcut) on p. [4], 1st set. Text on p. [1] printed in red and black within ornate woodcut border.
Printer's device below colophon.
"Wood-engraved frontispiece designed by Burne-Jones"--Peterson.
Limited ed. of 350 copies printed on paper, 8 on vellum. Cf. Peterson.
Binding: limp vellum, narrow yapp edges, silk ties threaded through cover, spine lettered in gilt (Golden type) ; bound by Leighton. Cf. Peterson.
Peterson, W.S. Kelmscott Press, A27
Tomkinson, G.W. Modern presses, p. 114
Book was first published in 1894 and its author, William Morris is often considered one of the authors who aided in the growth of fantasy, utopian literature, and science fiction. C.S. Lewis cites William Morris as one of his favorite authors and J.R.R. Tolkein admits to being influenced greatly by Morris' fantasies. The hero of this romance is named Golden Walter, son of Bartholomew Golden, a great merchant in the town of Langton on Holm. Tired of his mundane life, Walter sets out on a sea voyage, anxious to see and learn more of the outside world, eventually winning for himself the kingdom of Stark-Wall and the love of a beautiful maiden.