Edmund Spensers The Faerie Queene, Illustrated by Walter Crane, 3 Volumes

Edmund Spensers The Faerie Queene, 3 Volumes

Illustrated by Walter Crane

Easton Press Deluxe Edition

MINT Condition – Still in the Publisher’s Shrinkwrap

This is a beautiful recreation of the 1732 illustrated edition of The Faerie Queen published by the Easton Press. Published in 1897 in a limited edition of just 1,028 meticulously designed and crafted sets, Walter Crane’s illustrated The Faerie Queen ranks among the greatest achievements in the history of fine books. In Spencer’s The Fairie Queene – a rich allegorical epic of Arthurian Knights in a magical land – Crane found his greatest inspiration.  Walter Crane was already a well-established illustrator, artist and wood-engraver who had worked with William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones and other luminaries of the day when he embarked on his most ambitious project – the illustration and decoration of the longest poem in the English language. It is the most important and impressive work in his large and varied oeuvre. It was also the most demanding, taking him three years to complete and requiring publication in stages. He produced 88 large illustrations and 135 illustrative head and tailpieces, as well as overseeing the production of these large, beautifully printed volumes. He was undoubtedly influenced by the Kelmscott Chaucer, but his distinctive style – inspired by Japanese art as much as by the pre-Raphaelites – gives a lighter, fresher feel. This Arts and Crafts masterpiece contains the first stirrings of Art Nouveau, especially in its delicate, varied borders. As Crane’s dedicatory poem indicates, this is a powerful, imaginative response to the poem: faithful, and yet highly original.

Each of the books in this deluxe edition measures 11.25” x 9” and features the usual Easton Press fineries of premium leather covers, marbled endpapers, gold gilding and gilting, built in satin bookmarks.

The books are in MINT condition and still in the original publisher’s shrinkwrap.

Stock photographs of the book, a page from the prospectus, and a few images from the books appear below. Although the thumbnails may appear digitized, you can click your mouse on the thumbnail to view the picture in the photo viewer.