Socialism. Its growth & outcome

London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co.. 1893.

First edition. 8vo. 190x125mm. pp. viii, 335. Original maroon cloth, lettered in gilt to the spine. Bumping to corners and to head and foot of spine. Marks to spine. Internally very good with some pencil annotations. Front free endpaper has the ownership inscription "James Morton, Gowanbank, Darvel, Jan. 1896" and the front pastedown has the bookplate of Beatrice Emily and James Morton designed by C.F.A.Voysey. James was the son of Alexander Morton, the founder of the eponymous textile and weaving firm. James trained with the family firm, becoming a partner in 1895. Through his friendship and professional relationship with Voysey expanded the firm's use of Arts and Crafts designs, selling the fabrics at Liberty and Morris and Co. The bookplate was commissioned from Voysey for James's marriage to Beatrice Fagan on 21 March 1901. The entwined thistle and shamrock are a symbol their Scottish and Irish heritage. The two hearts, while obviously a reference to Beatrice and James, are a common motif in Voysey's work. As this charming bookplate on a copy of Morris's Socialism make clear, the Mortons were plugged into the avant-garde artistic and political currents of the day.