The Decorative Illustrations of Books (Walter Crane) (1901)

Classic work based on Crane’s 1889 Society of Arts lectures. In it he unpacks how decorative book art evolved—from sumptuous Gothic manuscripts to polished nineteenth-century print. With insights on technique, historical context, and the designer’s creative process. 100+ illustrations. Condition: Pale Green/blue cloth a little faded and tanned to spine. Previous owner’s signature and a previous owner’s bookplate to front endpaper. Endpapers and pastedowns lightly tanned. Cracking to guttering between pages 160 and 161. Light splitting to front hinge, with the front endpaper slightly pulling away.