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MORRIS, William & MAGNUSSON, Eirikr (translators).

The Story of Grettir the Strong.

The Story of Grettir the Strong.

Stock Code 109361

London, F.S. Ellis, 1869

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Presentation copy - inscribed to Charles Kingsley. Limited to just 500 copies, with the present copy inscribed by William Morris in black ink to the front free endpaper: 'the Reverend Charles Kingsley with W. Morris' compliments. 1869'.

William Morris studied Old Norse with Magnússon (1833-1913), an Icelandic scholar at the University of Cambridge. Within a year of Morris starting his studies, teacher and pupil published the present volume, the beginning of a fruitful collaboration. For Morris' biographer Fiona MacCarthy, Old Norse literature and Iceland became so important to Morris between 1868 and 1876 that they were to become a 'central obsession' in his life.

The recipient was the noted clergyman, historian, novelist and poet Charles Kingsley, whose ideas on social reform were a great influence on Morris during his time at university.

First edition, one of 500 copies, inscribed by William Morris; 8vo; double-page map, gift inscription to front pastedown dated 1886, some spotting and offsetting to prelims and endpapers; publisher's green cloth, printed paper title label to spine (somewhat worn), corners slightly rubbed, light rubbing to boards and extremities, deckled edges, partly unopened, housed in 1920s quarter morocco green cloth slipcase, gilt lettering to spine.

Provenance

Provenance: Charles Kingsley (presentation inscription; bookplate to front pastedown); Maurice Kingsley (gift inscription 'from mother' to front pastedown).<br />

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