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. Cloth. A very smart first edition of John Ruskin's collection of five lectures on the concepts and application of art. The first edition. In the publisher's original cloth binding. This work contains the five lectures that were delivered between 1858-59 on art, from English writer, art critic and polymath of the Victorian era, John Ruskin.He explores 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 other plate and numerous in-text figures. Collated, complete. With a twenty-four page catalogue of advertisements to the rear. In the original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. With slight fading to the spine. Rubbing and light bumping to the extremities, heavier to the spine head and tail. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with a few spots to the first and last few leaves. Contemporary ink inscription to the front free endpaper. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .