Did you know?  Check our Rare Books Page

William Morris and the Kelmscott Press

By Andrea Diamond. Jan 8, 2016. 9:00 AM.

Topics: Fine Press, Book Making

“Apart from the desire to produce beautiful things, the leading passion of my life has been and is hatred of modern civilization.” – William Morris

In the late 1700s, the industrial revolution took root and quickly propelled society toward a future of consumerism and commoditization. Although this period in history brought about many positive changes in the lives of working class citizens, the era was not without its shortcomings. Beauty was exchanged for practicality, time was equated to money, and the jobs that once needed the skill of human hands could be replicated by machinery. One example of modernization was the printing industry. Books were being produced more mechanically than ever before, which left the pages filled with words but void of soul. A man named William Morris recognized the loss of an art in modern society, and aimed to counter it.

Kelmscott_Press_Typefaces_Detail_PDWilliam Morris was born on March 24, 1834, and passed away on October 3, 1896. Over the course of his 62 years of life, Morris embodied the role of poet, novelist, social activist, and artist. He was passionate about many things, and he brought those passions to life through perseverance and hard work. Perhaps one of his greatest contributions to the world of art and literature in the wake of the industrial revolution was the development of the Kelmscott press.

Morris constructed the press in his home, Kelmscott manor, in 1891. He was a craftsman who refuted industrialism, believing that modern printing methods were absent of true skill. Opposed to the mass production of books by modern printing practices, the Kelmscott press sought to maintain the artistry once found in medieval texts and manuscripts. Creating his own typefaces, making his own paper, and printing by hand, Morris was the master of his personal “typographical adventure.” Remarkably intricate designs upon fine linen paper created a one-of-a-kind reading experience that that was both visually captivating, and easy to follow. Each book was a unique canvas with distinct ornamentation and aesthetic.

Encheiresin_naturae_Nawakum_4Although the Kelmscott press only operated for seven years, it brought a renewed appreciation of quality over quantity in the world of printing. To this day, fine presses such as Heavenly Monkey, and Nawakum Press aspire to similar standards of beauty and art. According to William Morris:

History has remembered the kings and warriors, because they destroyed; art has remembered the people, because they created.”

As a lover of the written word, it does one's heart good to see beautiful stories enveloped in beautiful vessels. Morris understood the value of words, and reflected that understanding through the creation of the Kelmscott press.

Browse our Fine Press Collection  

Andrea Diamond
A graduate student in Wisconsin who enjoys traveling via plane, train, or pages of a book.


 

comments powered by Disqus

 

  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

About this blog

How can I identify a first edition? Where do I learn about caring for books? How should I start collecting? Hear from librarians about amazing collections, learn about historic bindings or printing techniques, get to know other collectors. Whether you are just starting or looking for expert advice, chances are, you'll find something of interest on blogis librorum.

Get blog notifications per email:

Download the James Bond Dossier

Recent Posts

Book Glossary
Get your free Guide to Book Care

Blog Archive

> see older posts
A Guide to Historic Libraries Part I