Sesame and Lilies

by Ruskin, John

John Ruskin’s Sesame and Lilies (1865) consists of two lectures, “Of Kings’ Treasuries” and “Of Queens' Gardens,” delivered in December 1864 at the town halls at Rusholme and Manchester. While these lectures emphasize the connections between nature, art and society, they are essentially concerned with education and ideal conduct. The first half of the original work, “Of Kings’ Treasuries,” is a critique of Victorian manhood. The second half, “Of Queens' Gardens,” counsels women to be moral guides and urges parents to educate them as such. Although Sesame and Lilies was widely popular in its time, the work in its entirety has been out of print since the early twentieth century.

First Edition Identification

John Wiley and Son of New York first published Sesame and Lilies in 1865.

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

A preface and a third essay, “The Mystery of Life and Its Arts,” were added to later editions, first seen in 1871.

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Sesame and Lilies: Three Lectures by John Ruskin. 1. of King's Treasuries. 2. of Queens' Gardens. 3. of the Mystery of Life

Sesame and Lilies: Three Lectures by John Ruskin. 1. of King's Treasuries. 2. of Queens' Gardens. 3. of the Mystery of Life

by Ruskin, John

Condition
Used
Edition
Revised and enlarged edition
Published
1900
Binding
Hardback
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Galway, IRL
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New York : The F. M. Lupton Publishing Company, 1900. Revised and enlarged edition. Hardback. Very good plus copy in the original gilt-blocked half cloth and floral boards. Top edge gilt. Slightest suggestion only of dust-dulling, with minor rubbing to the spine bands, and small nick to top front corner. Remains well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong; 244… Read more about this item
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Sesame and Lilies: Three Lectures by John Ruskin, LL.D
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Sesame and Lilies: Three Lectures by John Ruskin, LL.D

by John Ruskin

Condition
Used - Very Good Condition
Jacket Condition
None (as issued)
Edition
Revised and Enlarged Ed
Published
[1891]
Binding
Hardcover (Full Leather)
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Springfield, Ohio, USA
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Thomas Y. Crowell, New York, [1891]. Revised and Enlarged Ed. Hardcover (Full Leather). Very Good Condition/None (as issued). VG HB with no DJ (as issued), but protected by custom cut clear polyester cover. 2 p. l., 3-184 p. front. (port.) 17 cm. A very attractive early copy of Ruskin's essays with an intertwined "JR"… Read more about this item
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Sesame and Lilies
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Sesame and Lilies

by John Ruskin

Condition
Used - Good+
Published
1910
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York, North Yorkshire, GBR
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SESAME AND LILIESTHREE LECTURES BYJOHN RUSKIN LL.D, LONDON GEORGE ALLEN & SONS 1910 DESCRIPTION (ii) + 228 + (ii) Book measures 175mm x 125mm approximately. Nicely bound in full dark blue calf. Spine with five raised gilt-ruled bands with elaborate gilt decoration to compartments. Gilt swirled border to both boards with gilt inner dentelle work. Educational emblem in… Read more about this item
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Sesame And Lilies

Sesame And Lilies

by John Ruskin

Condition
Used - Fine
Published
1899
Binding
Boards
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1
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Portland, Oregon, USA
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£36.04

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Gilt-decorated, ornamented octavo bound in boards. Henry Altemus, 1899. 224pp. Fine condition. Some fading and scuffs to cover and spine.
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Sesame and Lilies: Three Lectures by John Ruskin, L.L.D.
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Sesame and Lilies: Three Lectures by John Ruskin, L.L.D.

by Ruskin, John

Condition
Used - Very Good Minus
Published
1898
Binding
Hardcover
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Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA
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Sunnyside, Orpington and London: George Allen, 1898 Reprint. Hardcover in green cloth, 8vo., 228 pp. Title in gilt to spine. T.e.g., other edges untrimmed. Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co., Edinburgh and London. A small sticker of "New and Old" Leeds bookseller Henry Walker is on the front pastedown. This volume contains several lectures by eminent British art historian and… Read more about this item
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Sesame and Lilies, Three Lectures
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Sesame and Lilies, Three Lectures

by John Ruskin

Condition
Used - Fair
Edition
Revised and Enlarged Edition
Published
1871
Binding
Cloth over boards
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1
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Independence, Missouri, USA
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"Sesame and Lilies" is a collection of three essays, concerned with education and ideal conduct. One essay also covers the role of women, their rights, duties in education, and compassion. John Ruskin was an art critic in Victorian England and an influential figure in the art world. This book includes: Preface, Preface to First Edition, Of Kings' Treasuries,… Read more about this item
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Sesame and Lilies .
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Sesame and Lilies .

by Ruskin John [ 11 Volumes. Vellum Bindings ]

Condition
Used - Very Good Plus
Published
1876
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CHESHUNT, Hertfordshire, GBR
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£380.00

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Kent: George Allen , 1876. Books measure 9 1/4 x 6 inches.Eleven volumes.All volumes published by George Allen. Orpington, Kent, except when stated. 1. Sesame and Lilies. Third edition. 1876. Munera Pulveris. 1872. 3. Aratra Pentelici. Second thousand. 1879. 4. The Eagle's Nest. Second thousand. 1880. 5. Time and Tide. Smith Elder. 1872. 6. The Crown of Wild Olive. Smith… Read more about this item
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£380.00
Sesame and Lillies

Sesame and Lillies

by John Ruskin

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Published
?1911
Binding
Soft leather (tan)
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1
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FLAGSTAFF HILL, South Australia, AUS
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£13.11

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Two lectures given by the author - 1 Sesame, about books and 2 Lillies, why to read. 192 pages with colour border throughout. Book in near fine condition with award sticker dated 1911 on first endpaper. The photo has a shadow bottom right - this is not on the book.
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Sesame and Lilies
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Sesame and Lilies

by Ruskin, John

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Thirteenth
Published
1892
Binding
Full Leather
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1
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Bath, Somerset, GBR
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London: George Allen, 1892. Thirteenth . Full Leather. Very Good. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. 'Sesame and Lilies: Two Lectures by John Ruskin, LL.D., 1. Of Kings' Treasuries. 2. Of Queens' Gardens.' In his preface, Ruskin describes the theme of the lectures as "the majesty of the influence of good books, and of good women, if… Read more about this item
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Sesame and Lilies: Two Lectures delivered at Manchester in 1864: Of Kings' Treasuries and Of Queens' Gardens.
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Sesame and Lilies: Two Lectures delivered at Manchester in 1864: Of Kings' Treasuries and Of Queens' Gardens.

by Ruskin, John

Condition
Used
Published
1866
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1
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Skibbereen, IRL
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£82.58

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1866. Third edition, with preface. London, Smith, Elder & Co., 1866. 12 x 17.5cm. (23), 196 pages. Original clothbound hardcover with gilt lettering and gilt edges. Spine sunned, minor marks to boards and joint beginning to loosen but otherwise in very good condition. Inscribed with previous owner's name on half-title page. Stamp on front free endpaper. John Ruskin's "Sesame… Read more about this item
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£82.58
Sesame And Lilies - The Ethics Of The Dust
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Sesame And Lilies - The Ethics Of The Dust

by Ruskin John

Condition
Used - Near Fine with no dust jacket
Edition
Presumed First UK Edition in this series/binding
Published
1908
Binding
Soft
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1
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Carmarthen, GBR
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£25.00

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London: George Allen & Sons. ,. Near Fine with no dust jacket. 1908. Presumed First UK Edition in this series/binding. Soft. Although Ruskin has fallen out of favour nowadays - this is the most wonderful example of a suede bound gift book of the period. In FINE deep purple suede with yapp edges and very bright gilt titling… Read more about this item
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£25.00
Sesame and Lilies.

Sesame and Lilies.

by Ruskin, John

Condition
Used
Published
1893
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1
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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£100.10

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London: George Allen, 1893. The leading English art critic of the Victorian era, John Ruskin wrote on subjects as varied as geology, architecture, myth, ornithology, literature, education, botany and political economy. He was hugely influential in the latter half of the 19th century and up to the First World War. "Clouds, mountains, landscapes, towers, churches, trees, flowers and herbs… Read more about this item
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£100.10
Sesame and Lilies
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Sesame and Lilies

by Ruskin, John

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Cadillac, Michigan, USA
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£14.41

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H. M. Caldwell Co., Publishers. Hardcover. Good/No Jacket. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. Light soiling. Light edgewear. Lightly bumped corners. Spine is sun darkened. Inside hinge is cracked. No date given but Preface is dated 1/1/1871& also contains Preface to First Edition. Cover is bluish-green with gilt lettering & decor with embossed green & red floral… Read more about this item
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SESAME AND LILIES - THREE LECTURES - 1. OF KING'S TREASURIES 2. OF QUEEN'S GARDENS 3. OF THE MYSTERY OF LIFE.

SESAME AND LILIES - THREE LECTURES - 1. OF KING'S TREASURIES 2. OF QUEEN'S GARDENS 3. OF THE MYSTERY OF LIFE.

by John Ruskin

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Third edition
Published
1890
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Blue Hill, Maine, USA
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£12.01

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New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1890. Third edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 5 x 7 inches. xli, 179 pages. Condition is Very Good; Leather scuffed at edges and corners, splitting at top 1 inch at top of spine, a few light pencil lines in the margins, binding is tight. STK
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£12.01
Sesame and Lilies and The Political Economy of Art
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Sesame and Lilies and The Political Economy of Art

by John Ruskin

Condition
Used - Very Good ++
Edition
New Edition
Published
1920
Binding
Full-Leather
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1
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Northampton, Northamptonshire, GBR
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UK: Collins, 1920. New Edition . Full-Leather. Very Good ++. 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall. New Edition Circa 1920. Undated. A new edition of this classic novel with new illustrations by E Stuart Hardy. Bound in their original full leather bindings and gilt page edges. Book is very good++ and bright. Contents good. Small inscription… Read more about this item
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£28.00
Sesame and Lilies.
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Sesame and Lilies.

by RUSKIN, John.

Condition
Used
Published
[1907]
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1
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London, GBR
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£650.00

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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… Read more about this item
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£650.00
Sesame and lilies. (Antonio Dattilo Rubbo's copy with self-portrait)

Sesame and lilies. (Antonio Dattilo Rubbo's copy with self-portrait)

by RUSKIN, John (1819-1900); DATILLO RUBBO, Antonio (1870 - 1955)

Condition
Used
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1
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Armadale, Victoria, AUS
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£230.78

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London : George Allen, 1901. Complete edition (fifty-second thousand). Octavo, gilt-lettered green cloth (edges rubbed), pp. xxxviii; 228, lacking the front free endpaper. Preliminary blank with large pencil signature 'A Datillo Rubbo) with a small pencil sketch being a self-portrait of the artist folding an artist's case. Sesame and lilies is comprised of two lectures delivered in December… Read more about this item
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Sesame and Lilies; Two lectures delivered at Manchester in 1864: 1, Of Kings' Treasuries; 2. Of Queens' Gardens.
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Sesame and Lilies; Two lectures delivered at Manchester in 1864: 1, Of Kings' Treasuries; 2. Of Queens' Gardens.

by Ruskin, John

Condition
Used
Published
1866
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA
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£11.77

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New York Wiley, 1866, hardcover. Sesame and Lilies" is 119 pages [issued and bound with] "An Inquiry into some of the conditions at present affecting 'The Study of Architecture' in our schools": New York, Wiley, 1866, 29 pages. -- Hardcover, blind-stamped brown cloth, ownership dated January 1866. -- Condition: good-plus (spine tips worn 1/4-inch; spine cloth faintly sunned; pastedowns… Read more about this item
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£11.77
SESAME AND LILIES

SESAME AND LILIES

by John Ruskin

Condition
Used
Published
1890
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Dayton, Ohio, USA
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£12.01

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New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1890. Hardcover. 188p plus 11p catalogue in back. A brick-red cloth hardcover book in very good condition. Edges minutely rubbed and spine a bit darkened. Signature on first blank page. Otherwise clean and tight. Three lectures, titled "Of Kings' Treasuries," "Of Queens' Gardens," and "Of the Mystery of Life." Reprint of the third… Read more about this item
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£12.01
Sesame and Lilies - Three Lectures

Sesame and Lilies - Three Lectures

by John Ruskin

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1888
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Montreal, Quebec, CAN
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£48.01

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New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1888. Hardcover. Good. Hardcover book in good condition. Covers and spine show shelf wear. Questions welcome. We ship internationally from the United States and Canada every week. If buying internationally, please be aware that additional charges may apply for heavier books. We guarantee a safe, quick, and secure transaction. 10+ years in… Read more about this item
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£48.01