Fors Clavigera: Letters to the Workmen and Labourers of Great Britain.
Orpington, Kent: George Allen, 1871-1884. First edition. 8vo. 8 volumes: various paginations through the first three volumes for individual letters; (4), 294; (4), 396; (2), 354; (4), 412; (4), 306 pp. Illustrated, plates, portraits, facsimiles, in-text line drawings; lacking the index volume published in 1887. "[In an] effort to cure what seemed to him the anarchy outside, [Ruskin] established an organ for his propaganda. This was 'Fors Clavigera,' a monthly letter 'to the workmen and labourers of Great Britain.' It is one of the curiosities of literature. Its discursiveness, its garrulity, its petulance are amazing … 'Fors' is full of passionate intensity; it abounds in forcible writing, and the ingenuity with which innumerable threads are knit together to enforce the author's economic principles is remarkable … Ruskin's monthly organ was used to preach a crusade and to found a society … and attempt to found a Utopia in England" (DNB). CBEL III, p. 697 Spines darkend, but a very good set, though lacking the index volume. Somewhat later polished blue calf, the boards stamped in blind, marbled endpapers, gilt spine titles. all edges gilt (#6371). Item #59378
Price: $600.00