{"product_id":"the-nature-of-gothic-john-ruskin","title":"The Nature of Gothic, John Ruskin","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"2\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003ePublication\u003c\/b\u003e: London, George Allen, 1899\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eFormatting\u003c\/b\u003e: 8vo, pp. [viii], 80.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e: Very Good. Bound in the publisher's original green cloth with a blind-stamped border to the boards and gilt titling to the spine, the binding remains remarkably tight and secure. There is only minor shelf-wear to the extremities, with slight rubbing and bumping to the spine ends and corners. Internally, the hinges are perfectly intact. The text block is sound, though the pages exhibit scattered foxing, most prominent on the preliminary leaves, including the half-title and title page, before yielding to a largely bright and clean interior. The page edges are slightly darkened from age, but overall, it presents as a highly solid, well-preserved copy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e: This is the 1899 George Allen edition of John Ruskin's seminal essay, originally published as a chapter within his three-volume masterpiece, \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"157\"\u003eThe Stones of Venice\u003c\/i\u003e. This standalone printing is highly significant as it features a preface by William Morris.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eMorris and Ruskin's collaboration on this text was first immortalised in the celebrated 1892 Kelmscott Press edition. This 1899 printing by George Allen democratised that pairing, offering Morris's preface and Ruskin's text to a broader audience in a traditional publisher's cloth binding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eThis early trade edition has become uncommonly scarce, presenting an accessible historical artefact of the Arts and Crafts movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003eIn \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"10\"\u003eThe Nature of Gothic\u003c\/i\u003e, John Ruskin mounts a passionate defence of Gothic architecture, arguing that the irregular, handcrafted imperfections of medieval buildings reflect the freedom, creativity, and spiritual well-being of the individual artisan. Far more than an architectural critique, the essay serves as a profound social manifesto against the dehumanising effects of industrialised labour. Championed by William Morris, who provides the preface to this edition and hailed the essay as one of the most important works of the nineteenth century, Ruskin's vision remains a foundational text for anyone exploring the intersection of art, craftsmanship, and human dignity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55733995274579,"sku":"6813","price":95.7,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20261102_100421.jpg?v=1793789228","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/the-nature-of-gothic-john-ruskin","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}