The Well at the World's End

Author William Morris British
 Sir Edward Burne-Jones British
 Publisher Kelmscott Press British

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Determined to reform the artistry of book making, William Morris established Kelmscott Press in 1891. One of its finest productions was this medieval romance written by the founder in the archaic style of Thomas Malory and beautifully illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones. In the full-page illustration, Friends in Need Meet in the Wild Wood, the young knight Ralph meets a maiden disguised in armor. Morris designed the elaborate ornamental border of grapevines, the embellished capital letter, and the typeface. Both imagery and text influenced writers J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis.

The Well at the World's End, William Morris (British, Walthamstow, London 1834–1896 Hammersmith, London), Illustrations: woodcuts; one of eight vellum bound copies

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Spread of Pages 286 and 287

The Well at the World's End, William Morris (British, Walthamstow, London 1834–1896 Hammersmith, London), Illustrations: woodcuts; one of eight vellum bound copies
The Well at the World's End, William Morris (British, Walthamstow, London 1834–1896 Hammersmith, London), Illustrations: woodcuts; one of eight vellum bound copies
The Well at the World's End, William Morris (British, Walthamstow, London 1834–1896 Hammersmith, London), Illustrations: woodcuts; one of eight vellum bound copies
The Well at the World's End, William Morris (British, Walthamstow, London 1834–1896 Hammersmith, London), Illustrations: woodcuts; one of eight vellum bound copies

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