John Ruskin — The Two Paths: Being Lectures on Art, and Its Application to Decoration and Manufacture Delivered in 1858-9

London, Smith, Elder and Co. 1859 . First edition. Leather. A smart first edition copy of this set of five lectures on the concept and application of art, in a signed Zaehnsdorf binding. The first edition. In a full navy calf binding. A signed binding by Zaehnsdorf.  A work by John Ruskin, an English polymath – a writer, lecturer, art historian, art critic, draughtsman and philanthropist of the Victorian era.  A set of five lectures that were delivered between 1858-59 on art, covering topics such as the unity of art, the influence of imagination in architecture and the work of iron in nature, art and policy. Illustrated with a frontispiece, one plate, and in text illustrations. Collated, complete.  In a full calf binding. Externally, smart. Fading to spine, with rubbing to joints and extremities. Shelf wear to the head and tail of the spine. Binder's stamp to rear of front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean, with light offsetting to title page. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .