Utopia - A Fruteful and Pleasaunt Worke of the Beste State of a Publique Weale, and of the Newe Yle Called Utopia by More, Thomas - 1906

London: Ashendene Press, 1906. [3], 4-161pp, [1], original quarter linen and blue paper boards, title printed in black to spine. Spine lightly soiled, with patch of staining to foot, upper cover with very light water staining, lower cover with very light staining and wear, corners bumped, final leaf of text and first rear blank with small rust mark to fore edge, otherwise quite bright and clean. George Abrams bookplate to front pastedown, John Galsworthy bookplate to reverse of ffep, presentation copy from C.H. St. John Hornby to John Galsworthy to head of ffep, with his ink inscription "John Galsworthy from C.H.St.J.H. 25 Dec. 1907". Housed in a cloth drop back box, with title and publisher in gilt to spine. One of one hundred copies on Batchelor paper, with a further twenty copies printed on vellum, printed by St John Hornby in Chelsea. This was "the first book with marginal notes printed in red. The beautiful large initials, also printed in red, were designed for me by Eric Gill" (The Ashendene Press, 1894-1935, page 58). Ashendene Press XXII; Franklin, 'Private Presses', page 225; Franklin, 'Ashendene', calling it "a splendid Utopia", page 237 and Tomkinson 23. Presentation Copy from the Publisher. First Thus. Quarter Cloth and Boards. Good/No Jacket (as issued). 4to. Private Press.