[Roycrofters | Fine Binding] Love Ballads of the XVIth Century

Here Then is Love Ballads of the XVIth Century. East Aurora, NY: Roycroft Printing Shop, 1897. Limited to 100 copies "specially illumined by hand", of which this is #51. Signed with Elbert Hubbard's initials, as well as by the illuminator M. Johnson. Illuminated throughout with vignettes in watercolor and gilt. The text is set in Antiqua Old Style, with the preface set in Monotype Series #16, printed on Ruisdael handmade paper.

Bound in burgundy crushed morocco by the Roycroft bindery (signed on the front inner turn-in), with a central gilt ornament on the front cover of two long-stemmed crossed roses, accented with leaves and thorns. Five bands to spine with title in second compartment, and remaining compartments tooled with a central Tudor rose surrounded by leaves in gilt. Wide turn-ins with large floral gilt tooling at each corner. Burgundy and gold marbled endpapers. Top edge gilt. Measures approx. 5.5" x 8". A few minor spots of rubbing to edges. A beautiful example.

This edition not noted in either Ogle or McKenna.