Psalmi Penitentiales Bible

DESCRIPTION: Octavo (8vo.) 8 3/8 x 5 3/4 inches (21.3 x 14.8 cm), vi, 63 pp., ii pages. One of 300 copies. Transcribed and edited by F. S. Ellis. The original holland binding has been rebound in limp red morocco backed in black morocco and housed in a matching slipcase. Printed by William Morris on handmade Batchelor paper with the Chaucer type. Printed in red and black with head titles in red. Numerous ornamental wood-engraved borders, several three-quarters, and 3-, 5- and 6-line wood engraved initials all designed by Morris. Wood engraved Kelmscott printer's logo in the colophon. The colophon notes: "Thus ends this rhymed version of the Penitential Psalms found in a manuscript of Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis, written at Gloucester about the year 1440, and now transcribed by F. S. Ellis." ____CONDITION: VG+ to NF. Light foxing along the edges of the text block (see final photo) with only 1 or 2 faint spots on two of the blank pages and 2-3 of the text pages, barely visible. Pages are otherwise clean and bright. Last blank page has light pencil notations regarding the numbering of the psalms (see penultimate photo). No ink inscriptions, names or ex-libris.____DISCUSSION: This is one of William Morris' "little books", editions smaller than octavo size with plain-vanilla holland bindings that were designed and priced to make them affordable to less wealthy collectors. Unfortunately, the prices of these little books have skyrocketed in recent years yet they remain the most accessible way to add a beautiful Kelmscott Press edition to one's collection. The Psalmi Penitentiales is one of the largest and most elaborate of these "little books" and it is highly prized as such. The replacement of the holland binding with a fine binding in red limp morocco and black morocco spine with matching slipase, complimenting the red and black type used throughout the text, makes this an exceptionally attractive copy. NOTE: International shipping cost is $35 U.S. dollars.