Geoffrey ChaucerBiblio.com
The Works.
1928réf. 194391Oxford: Basil Blackwell printed at the Shakespeare Head Press Stratford-upon-Avon 1928-29. With hand-coloured pilgrims wandering along the bottom of the pages First Shakespeare Head edition number 38 of 350 sets for sale on Kelmscott handmade paper with the original publisher's prospectus. Franklin describes Shakespeare Head as "the most mature and sophisticated" private press of the interwar period. This beautiful production was one of its best. "The first impression is of care in planning of thought for the reader. A friendly craftsmanship comes from all the pen and brush work in these books. The illustrations enter as pleasant surprises rather than necessary parts of the plan. The edition seems complete without them but we are delighted to find them" Franklin p. 149. The Shakespeare Head was founded in 1904 by the Elizabethan scholar Arthur Henry Bullen whose goal was to produce the first collected edition of Shakespeare published in the town of his birth. After Bullen's death in 1920 the press was taken over by the Oxford bookseller Basil Blackwell who employed Bernard Newdigate as designer. Under Newdigate the press followed the traditions of William Morris and released its greatest productions. 8 vols quarto. Woodcuts by Lynton Lamb and Hugh Chesterman many hand-coloured text printed in red blue and black in Caslon type. Original cream holland-backed blue boards paper spine labels lettered in red and black fore and bottom edges uncut each volume with inlaid spare spine label. Gatherings mostly unopened. Minor rubbing and marks to bindings inner hinges starting but firm. A near-fine set. Franklin p. 352. hardcover
Peter Harrington · Royaume-Uni2 250,00 £GB≈ 2 687,27 €
