Paradise Lost

Author John Milton British

Not on view

Books produced at Doves Press bindery, such as this copy of "Paradise Lost," reflect the aesthetic leanings of its founder, T. J. Cobden-Sanderson (1840–1922). Although influenced by his friend William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts Movement, Cobden-Sanderson's approach to what he called the "book beautiful" differed from the production of Morris's Kelmscott Press. Cobden-Sanderson favored clean open lines and margins, in a modern translation of Renaissance ideals. Each book was an individually created work of art, painstakingly crafted from only the finest materials. For this reason, books from Doves Press reached a small but prestigious audience. The binding of the volume shown here is a fine example of the rich leathers and meticulous goldwork preferred by Cobden-Sanderson.



Illustrated: full red goatskin, gold-tooled binding, by the Doves Bindery, signed "19C-S05"

Paradise Lost, John Milton (British, London 1608–1674 London), Printed book, Hammersmith: Doves Press, 1902

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