Dear colleagues,  

You are cordially invited to a free upcoming virtual lecture (23rd June, 12:30 PM EST): "The Whole Scheme of the Book:" William Morris and the Kelmscott Press. 

Join Myron Groover (McMaster’s Archives and Rare Books Librarian) for an exploration of the works of the Kelmscott Press. Established in 1891, the output of the Press is now recognized as a high point of aesthetic and philosophical attainment for the Arts and Crafts movement. McMaster is fortunate to hold a number of Kelmscott works in its collections, including a sumptuous pigskin-bound copy of its masterpiece, the Kelmscott Chaucer.  

This lecture is part of our ongoing Archives Alive series. This series of public-facing talks about our collections is jointly hosted by the William Ready Division of Archives & Research Collections and McMaster University Alumni.  

Register using this link. A full description of the event follows this message. Please feel free to share this invitation with other interested parties.  

 

Best,  

 

Gillian 

Gillian Dunks, M.A., M.A.S. (she/her/hers)

Archives Arrangement & Description Librarian

Archives and Research Collections

McMaster University

905-525-9140 x 23361

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations, and within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement

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Established in 1891, the Kelmscott Press was the last great project of William Morris. Conceived as a deliberate return to the technologies and processes of an earlier era of printing, the Press brought together an astonishingly gifted community of artists and artisans in a self-conscious attempt to produce "the ideal book." Its output — 53 books in total, each in a limited print run — represents a high point of aesthetic and philosophical attainment for the Arts and Crafts movement. The work of the Press went on to have a profound influence on both printing and the decorative arts, and its founding is traditionally considered the starting point for the small and fine press movement. 

McMaster is fortunate to hold several volumes from the Press — including a sumptuous copy of its masterpiece, the Kelmscott Chaucer. On June 23^rd, in recognition of International Kelmscott Press Day, join Myron Groover (McMaster's Archives and Rare Books Librarian) for an exploration of the Kelmscott Press, its historical and aesthetic context, and McMaster's own collection of Kelmscott editions.