Sesame and Lilies.

London: George G. Harrap & Co.,, [1907]. An excellent example of a relievo-style binding, here presenting a later edition of Ruskin's two social lectures. This style had a revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and a variety of new techniques were developed for working the leather. Annie MacDonald, who inspired the creation of the Guild of Women Binders, notably devised her own method, and taught her fellow craftswomen in Edinburgh to produce similar work. Ruskin originally delivered these lectures under the titles "Of kings' treasuries" and "Of queens' gardens" in Manchester in 1864. The following year they were first printed as Sesame and Lilies. The two works "evoked images of kingship and queenship, which in their respective public and domestic spheres offered male leadership and female care, an ideal of moral and social responsibility in contrast to the selfish anarchy of laissez-faire" (ODNB). Duodecimo (138 x 97 mm). Contemporary modelled calf, spine lettered vertically in blind, front cover with moulded floral design and light green wash, top edge gilt, fore and bottom edges uncut. Portrait frontispiece, title page printed in red and black. Calligraphic ownership inscription in red dated 1917 to front free endpaper. Extremities lightly rubbed, natural variation to leather, edges foxed, else clean. A very good copy.