Chaucer

Chaucer — marelibri

Geoffrey Chaucer; Thomas SpeghtBiblio.com

The workes of our antient and learned English poet Geffrey Chaucer

1598Best.-Nr. 2105240007London : printed by Adam Islip at the charges of Bonham Norton 1598. Hardcover. Very Good. The Elizabethan Chaucer: An important early English printing that helped establish Chaucer in the English literary pantheon Folio 31 cm. Fine binding by Riviere. Gilt spine compartments gilt ruled cover. Gilt dentelle and turn downs. Attractive and professional reback. All edges gilt. Marbled end sheets. Printed in black Letter in double column. Frontispiece portrait of "the Progenie of Geffrey Chaucer" engraved by John Speed. Letterpress title with woodcut borders. Additionally "The Canterbury tales" "The romaunt of the rose" and "The story of Thebes" have engraved divisional titles; the foliation and register are continuous. Lacking leaves b1 ppiii and iiii and the final 6 leaves 4b iii-vii. Contemporary marginalia throughout in a near contemporary hand. "In this impression you shall find these additions. 1. His portraiture and progenie shewed. 2. His life collected. 3. Arguments to euery booke gathered. 4. Old and obscure words explaned. 5. Authors by him cited declared. 6. Difficulties opened. 7. Two bookes of his neuer before printed." Refs: STC 5078. Pforzheimer 177. Luborsky & Ingram. A Guide to English Illustrated Books 1536-1603 5078. Provenance: Lord Wardington's copy. Signatures of W. Featherstonhaugh possibly George William Featherstonhaugh and Sir John William Pease 1869-1950 First Baron Wardington Armorial bookplate and signature Newcastle. Most recently by descent of Lord Wardington; sold in Sotheby's London July 13th 2006 sale lot 62. Cataloguer's note: The first of Thomas Speght edition of Chaucer's works one of three editions printed in 1598 the others by Adam Islip. This edition contains the first "life of Chaucer" to appear in English. The two additional works printed are: "The Floure and the Leafe" and "Chaucer's Dreame" these are spuriously attributed to Chaucer. London : printed by Adam Islip, at the charges of Bonham Norton hardcover

SequiturBooks · Vereinigte Staaten9.310,00 $≈ 8.317,70 €

Chaucer GeoffreyBiblio.com

THE WORKS OF OUR ANCIENT LEARNED AND EXCELLENT ENGLISH POET JEFFREY CHAUCER .to Which Is Adjoyn'd the Story of the Siege of Thebes by John Lidgate.Together With the Life Of Chaucer

1687Best.-Nr. 25716London: np 1687. The third Speght edition and the last 'black letter' edition of Chaucer's works. With the famous engraved Gower portrait and genealogical frontispiece engraved coat of arms at the beginning of the works and with woodcut initials throughout. Folio full antique calf the spine sometime restored to correct period style with raised bands ruled in double gilt and with a red morocco label gilt ruled and lettered. 36 660 24 pp. A very handsome copy internally quite clean and still crisp a bit of expected mellowing or age evidence the binding handsome with some expert restoration as noted. A nice tall copy of this important work. A SCARCE HANDSOME AND IMPORTANT EDITION. This was the last 'black letter' edition of Chaucer to be published. Thomas Speght included in this edition "The Court of Love" added to the Chaucer canon by Stow in 1561 as well as four new pieces: "The Flower and the Leaf;" "Chaucer's Dream;" "Jacke Upland" spuriously attributed to Chaucer; and "Chaucer's A B C." The text of the Tales follows that of the 1602 edition but with the addition of the then recently rediscovered endings of the Cook's and the Squire's tales. There is also a twenty-four page Glossary "The Old and Obscure Words Explained" at the end of the volume. This copy with fine provenance with the engraved bookplate of Oliver Huckel published author and authority on Richard Wagner. Huckel was the translator into English of such works as 'Tannhauser' and 'Parsifal'. With the plate of the Brooklyn Public Library now deaccessioned noting it was purchased with the gift of Alexander M. White. There are none of the typical library markings other than this label noting the donor and previous owner. np hardcover

Buddenbrooks, Inc. · Vereinigte Staaten9.350,00 $≈ 8.353,44 €

Chaucer, GeoffreyBiblio.com

The Workes of our Ancient and Learned English Poet Geffrey Chaucer Newly Printed

1602Best.-Nr. 302London: Adam Islip 1602. Second Edition. Very good. Folio 13 x 8 3/4 inches 328 x 223 mm; pp. xxvi dedications and Chaucer's Life title with armorial xvi Dedication to Henry VIII and Prologues ff. 376 14 glossary 'The hard words of Chaucer explaned' Latin French Authors cited Errata sheet. Double column black letter title within woodcut architectural border divisional title with woodcut coat-of-arms woodcut head- & tail-pieces and initials errata wanting portrait of Chaucer and his family tree title with contemporary pen trials recto and verso those recto all marginal a few contemporary ink inscriptions elsewhere one the name "Elizabeth Browne" to foot of errata f. a very little scattered spotting some soiling and browning to fore edges a few ff. with short closed tears hinges strengthened contemporary calf recased. Front pastedown with the engraved armorial bookplate G. W. Wentworth. TITLE PAGE The I Workes Of Ovr Ancient and learned Englifh Poet Geffrey Chavcer newly Printed. To that which was done in the former Impreffion thus much is now added. i In the life of Chaucer many things inferted. 2 The whole worke by old Copies reformed. 3 Sentences and Prouerbes noted. 4 The Signification of the old and obfcure words prooued : also Caracters fhewing from what Tongue or Dialect they be de- riued. 5 The Latine and French not Englished by Chaucer tranflated. 6 The Treatife called lacke Vpland againfl Fri- ers:and Chaucers A. B.C. called La Priere de noflre Dame at this Imprefsion added. London Printed by Adam Iflip. An. Dom. 1602 STC. 2nd ed 5080; Pforzheimer 178; Griller Longhand to Wither 44; ESTC S107210. This second Speght edition the first was 1598 Griller 43 was considerably revised mainly with the aid of Francis Thynne son of William who had edited Chaucer's collected works in 1532. It includes Lydgate's "The Storie of Thebes" which were erroneously attributed to Chaucer. According to Pforzheimer "It is the earliest in which a thorough punctuation was attempted and in many other ways it is a distinct improvement upon Speght's first edition." The inclusion of an extensive glossary proves that even by 1600 the language of Chaucer was becoming difficult even for erudite readers. This tome is in an OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION A BEAUTIFUL and IMPORTANT BOOK FROM THE LATE ELIZABETHAN ERA. Provenance: G.W. Wentworth bookplate: Godfrey Wentworth Wentworth 1773-1834 came from a noble family was educated at Cambridge and became a wealthy landowner. He held many political positions including a seat in the House of Commons 1806-1808. He made his home at Wooley Hall near Leeds. Adam Islip unknown

Rob Zanger Rare Books LLC · Vereinigte Staaten9.600,00 $≈ 8.576,79 €

CHAUCER, GeoffreyBiblio.com

Canterbury Tales

1929Best.-Nr. 69547Waltham Saint Lawrence in Berkshire: Printed and published at the Golden Cockerel Press 1929. GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS; GILL EricSANGORSKI & SUTCLIFFE. With Wood Engravings by Eric Gill GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS. CHAUCER Geoffrey. GILL Eric illustrator. SANGORSKI & SUTCLIFFE binder. The Canterbury Tales. With wood engravings by Eric Gill. Waltham Saint Lawrence in Berkshire: Printed and published at the Golden Cockerel Press 1929. Full Description: GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS. CHAUCER Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. With wood engravings by Eric Gill. Waltham Saint Lawrence in Berkshire: Printed and published at the Golden Cockerel Press 1929-1931. One of 485 numbered copies on Batchelor handmade paper out of a total edition of 500 copies. This being number 381. Four folio volumes 12 1/4 x 7 1/2 inches; 310 x 190 mm. One full-page illustration twenty-nine half-page illustrations 269 decorative borders tail-pieces and line-fillers and sixty-one initial letters printed in black red or blue all engraved on wood by Eric Gill. Bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe in quarter niger morocco over patterned boards. Gilt-lettered spine with raised bands. Top edges gilt others uncut. Spines lightly sunned to different degrees. Top of boards with some light sunning. Some minor rubbing to board edges. Previous owner's attractive bookplate on front pastedown of each volume which looks like a magician performing a trick in front of a book. Overall a handsome and desirable set which shows very well and the text is very clean. "Most of the borders are leaf and stem but among the leaves hiding or beckoning climbing or leaning out are girls and men kings and boys priests and nuns who take part or seem to be commenting upon the stories.the pattern continues affectionate and cheeky erotic enjoyable and relevant decorative and explanatory a balance of taste and eye. Borders are repeated sometimes in new combinations. To start a new tale we have more elaborate and descriptive work with a red or blue initial letter.There they are the characters in the tale with their stage scenery.One other quality in these borders should be noticed-their mannerism the distortion of human figures sometimes so that they almost share the forms of leaf and stem-and sometimes grow from them. It is another rather touching aspect of Gill's idea and all these manners work towards a single art-the poetry people leaves decoration and explanation. Author artist and printer have shared one concept and expressed it" Colin Franklin The Private Presses pp. 143-144. Chanticleer 63. Gill 281. HBS 69547. $10000. Printed and published at the Golden Cockerel Press unknown

Heritage Book Shop, LLC · Vereinigte Staaten10.000,00 $≈ 8.934,16 €

CHAUCER, GeoffreyBiblio.com

Canterbury Tales

1929Best.-Nr. 68192Waltham Saint Lawrence in Berkshire: Printed and published at the Golden Cockerel Press 1929. GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS; GILL EricSANGORSKI & SUTCLIFFE. With Wood Engravings by Eric Gill GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS. CHAUCER Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. With wood engravings by Eric Gill. Waltham Saint Lawrence in Berkshire: Printed and published at the Golden Cockerel Press 1929-1931. One of 485 numbered copies on Batchelor handmade paper out of a total edition of 500 copies. Stated "File Copy" on colophon page in lieu of a limitation number. Four folio volumes 12 x 7 1/2 inches; 307 x 190 mm. One full-page illustration twenty-nine half-page illustrations 269 decorative borders tail-pieces and line-fillers and sixty-one initial letters printed in black red or blue all engraved on wood by Eric Gill. Bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe in quarter niger morocco over patterned boards. Gilt-lettered spine with raised bands. Top edge gilt others uncut. Spines lightly sunned to different degrees. A few very tiny chips to spines. Tips slightly bumped and with some rubbing. Housed in a morocco-tipped cloth slipcase. Overall a handsome and desirable set which shows very well and the text is very clean. "Most of the borders are leaf and stem but among the leaves hiding or beckoning climbing or leaning out are girls and men kings and boys priests and nuns who take part or seem to be commenting upon the stories.the pattern continues affectionate and cheeky erotic enjoyable and relevant decorative and explanatory a balance of taste and eye. Borders are repeated sometimes in new combinations. To start a new tale we have more elaborate and descriptive work with a red or blue initial letter.There they are the characters in the tale with their stage scenery.One other quality in these borders should be noticed-their mannerism the distortion of human figures sometimes so that they almost share the forms of leaf and stem-and sometimes grow from them. It is another rather touching aspect of Gill's idea and all these manners work towards a single art-the poetry people leaves decoration and explanation. Author artist and printer have shared one concept and expressed it" Colin Franklin The Private Presses pp. 143-144. Chanticleer 63. Gill 281. HBS 68192. $10000. Printed and published at the Golden Cockerel Press unknown

Heritage Book Shop, LLC · Vereinigte Staaten10.000,00 $≈ 8.934,16 €

CHAUCER, GeoffreyABAA

Canterbury Tales

Heritage Book Shop, LLC · Vereinigte Staaten10.000,00 $≈ 8.934,16 €

CHAUCER, GeoffreyABAA

Canterbury Tales

Heritage Book Shop, LLC · Vereinigte Staaten10.000,00 $≈ 8.934,16 €

GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS: Chaucer, Geoffrey; Gill, Eric (ill)Biblio.com

The Canterbury Tales.

1929Best.-Nr. 000681One of the most famous books published by Golden Cockerel Press. Description: 4 vols. Original quarter niger morocco over patterned papered boards spines with raised bands lettered in gilt bound by Sangorski and Sutcliffe. Quarto: 32 × 20 cm; pp.: vol.i: 4 150 2; vol.ii 4 188 2 vol.iii 4 196 2 vol.iv 2 218 4. With 1 full-page 29 half-page and 269 decorated borders tail-pieces line-fillings and 61 initials engraved on wood by Eric Gill. Printed from 18 pt. Caslon Old Face printed on Batchelor hand-made paper nos. 16–500 in black red and blue. Top edge gilt others trimmed. No. 80 of a limited edition of 485 copies printed on Batchelor handmade paper from a total edition of 500 copies. Ref.: Cave/Manson 63; Chanticleer 63; Gill 281 Condition: Binding somewhat bumped and bruised at corners spine occasionally stained. Fore-edges slightly dusty. Content clean and free of marks. Notes: Eric Gill's woodcuts for The Canterbury Tales demonstrate his keen understanding of the relationship between illustration and typography. Drawing on his experience as a type designer and his knowledge of medieval illuminated manuscript aesthetics Gill combines images ornaments and text to create a cohesive visual design. Elaborately executed initials and accompanying scenes introduce the individual tales. The borders composed of intertwining leaves and branches feature figures of men women kings priests and nuns. These figures often allude to the narrative and their gestures and postures range from solemn seriousness to playful irreverence and even erotic allusions. Gill's idiosyncratic depiction of the human body -- often elongated or deliberately distorted -- enables the figures to blend into the surrounding foliage. The woodcuts derive much of their character from the interplay of medieval ornamentation and modernist stylization. Gill's interpretation of Chaucer's bawdy humor is particularly evident in his unabashedly sensual depictions. These caused a stir in their time yet they remain closely linked to their literary source. The woodcuts derive their expressiveness from the harmonious combination of technical precision and artistic expression. Therefore it is fair to say that Gill's woodcuts are an outstanding contribution to Twentieth-century book illustration that has lost none of its impact to this day. Golden Cockerel Press hardcover

Georg Schneebeli :: Rare Books & Prints · Schweiz9.000,00 CHF≈ 9.753,98 €

CHAUCER, GeoffreyBiblio.com

The Canterbury Tales.

1929Best.-Nr. 8747Number 381 of 485 copies on paper there were also 15 on vellum. Along with Troilus and Criseyde and The Four Gospels The Canterbury Tales is one of the high points of the Golden Cockerel Press. It perhaps stands above above all in Gill's masterful designs forming as Colin Franklin pointed out an integral part of the book's success — 'not quite illustration but far transcending decoration'. 'The balance of text and illustration goes further than typography . Most of the borders are leaf and stem but among the leaves hiding or beckoning climbing or leaning out are girls and men kings and boys priests and nuns who take part or seem to be commenting on the stories. A young man is whistling across the page two fingers at his mouth to a girl; Chaucer himself waves to a little god of love facing across his own poem; a sad lover looks over to Christ crucifies; Pan blows pipes and a naked girl hearing him prepares to climb her tree; a nineteen-twentyish girl climbs up and a sad young bearded man looking like Robert Gibbings sits supporting the whole tree's weight opposite; Chaucer is writing with confidence under the leaves taking it down by dictation from the naughty spirit looking down and over the lines. So the pattern continues affectionate and cheeky erotic enjoyable and relevant decorative and explanatory a balance of taste and eye' Franklin. 4 volumes small folio 310 × 190 mm pp. 4 150 2; 4 188 2; 4 196 2; 4 218 4. Woodcut ornaments by Eric Gill including four full-page illustrations printed in Caslon with black red and blue ink on Kelmscott hand-made paper. Original quarter goatskin by Sangorski and Sutcliffe spine lettered in gilt patterned paper boards top edge gilt others uncut. Spines slightly faded and rubbed corners very slightly bumped. Bookplate of W. and P. J. Kupfer. Golden Cockerel Press,

Justin Croft Antiquarian Books Ltd, ABA, ILAB · Vereinigtes Königreich11.000,00 $≈ 9.827,58 €

GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS: CHAUCER, Geoffrey; GILL, Eric (illus)Biblio.com

The Canterbury Tales.

1928Best.-Nr. 176203Waltham St Lawrence: Golden Cockerel Press 1928-31. Beautiful Books Limited edition number 135 of 485 copies on handmade paper; a further 15 copies were issued on vellum. The Canterbury Tales was one of the "most important Golden Cockerel editions for which Eric Gill provided the engravings" and showcases his "originality and verve" ODNB. This work was seen as one of the finest books to be produced by the press exhibiting the ideals of the private press movement as if the "author artist and printer have shared one concept and expressed it" Franklin. An announcement of the edition within The Times Literary Supplement on 2 February 1928 noted a publication price of 25 Guineas. It also stated that the vellum copies at 120 Guineas had already been fully subscribed. The publication of the work was a major literary event and was widely covered in the press throughout the four-year publication period. A review within The Times Literary Supplement described the set as "a fine one" and noted that "each page is ornamented at the side with a conventional tree at the top or bottom of which there are usually figures. These figures seems alternately to express an almost frivolous gaiety and a harsh ascetism. Gill portrays these attributes and characteristics of the Middle Ages as if they came down to us from a great distance as pale now romantic shadows of what was once violent and robust. With this mood is at times combined a strain of Post-Impressionism a modern flavour". The review concluded comparing the Golden Cockerel edition to the Kelmscott Chaucer noting that Pre-Raphaelitism was "adaptable to new circumstances". The partners of the Golden Cockerel Press Christopher Sandford Owen Rutter and Anthony Sandford described the set in their bibliography of the press as simply "beautiful books". 4 vols tall octavo. Initials printed in red blue and black. With full-page illustration 29 half-page illustrations decorated borders tailpieces and line fillers all by Gill. Bound for the publishers by Sangorski & Sutcliffe in brown quarter niger spines lettered in gilt patterned paper boards top edge gilt others untrimmed. Some wear to extremities slight colour variance to morocco minor cracking to front joint of vol. 1 minor browning to endpapers as usual: a very good set. Chanticleer 63; Franklin 307; Gill 281. The Times Literary Supplement 2 Feb. 1928 p. 79 & 18 April 1929 p. 310. hardcover

Peter Harrington · Vereinigtes Königreich10.000,00 £≈ 11.943,44 €

GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS: CHAUCER, Geoffrey; GILL, Eric (illus).Biblio.com

Troilus and Criseyde.

1927Best.-Nr. 180559Waltham St Lawrence: Golden Cockerel Press 1927. A crown jewel of the press First Golden Cockerel Press edition number 129 of 219 copies printed on Kelmscott handmade paper retaining the seldom-seen original slipcase. Loosely inserted is the equally elusive publisher's prospectus for autumn 1926 describing this edition as "a larger and more elaborate volume than has hitherto been attempted." Troilus and Criseyde was one of the first books that Eric Gill illustrated for the Golden Cockerel Press having joined as chief engraver in 1924. Together with The Song of Songs 1925 Canterbury Tales 1925 and The Four Gospels 1931 it is one of "the classic examples of specialist book production of that period. For a while the Golden Cockerel was Eric Gill" MacCarthy p. 187. Gill's artworks "captured the whimsical interplay between words and images displayed in medieval illuminated manuscripts. In Troilus and Cryseide Gill mixed full page illustrations with a combination of black and white lines and a rich assortment of shapes that presented a sense of motion. He created serpentine flora with simple figures to cushion the distinctive text. These border decorations reflect the narrative stanzas in an unassuming manner" Berona p. v. There were also six copies on vellum. Small folio. Woodcut title page 5 full-page woodcut illustrations ornamental borders throughout by Eric Gill. Text printed in black red and blue in Caslon O. F. type. Original quarter niger by Sangorski & Sutcliffe spine with raised bands second compartment lettered in gilt floral patterned paper-covered sides top edge gilt others untrimmed. Housed in the publisher's card slipcase. Publisher's prospectus loosely inserted. Hint of wear to corners otherwise a fine copy in the slipcase a little worn and with short split to one edge. Chanticleer 50; Gill 279. For the prospectus see Cock-A-Hoop P50. David A. Berona Eric Gill's Masterpieces of Wood Engraving: Over 250 Illustrations 213; Fiona MacCarthy Eric Gill 1989. hardcover

Peter Harrington · Vereinigtes Königreich15.000,00 £≈ 17.915,16 €

GILL, ERIC, Illustrator (GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS). CHAUCER, GEOFFREYBiblio.com

THE CANTERBURY TALES

1929Best.-Nr. ST17611Waltham St. Lawrence: Golden Cockerel Press 1929-31. No. 344 OF 485 COPIES on paper and 15 on vellum. 318 x 197 mm. 12 1/2 x 7 3/4". Four volumes. Original Niger morocco-backed patterned paper boards by Sangorski & Sutcliffe raised bands gilt titling top edges gilt others untrimmed. The four volumes housed in two burnt orange morocco-backed cloth clamshell boxes with gilt lettering on the backs. Red and blue initials ONE FULL-PAGE AND EIGHT HALF-PAGE WOOD ENGRAVINGS AND 267 VERY PLEASING WOOD-ENGRAVED BORDERS frequently inhabited AND TAILPIECES BY ERIC GILL each border design repeated two to five times so that nearly every page is thus adorned. Chanticleer 63; Gill 281. Spines softly sunned--though uncharacteristically very minor and uniform in the fading; otherwise faultless. AN EXEMPLARY COPY PRISTINE INTERNALLY. This is as fine a copy as one could hope to find of one of the best examples in modern fine press work of the successful collaboration of text decoration and typography. With the "Four Gospels" of 1931 and "Troilus and Criseyde" of 1927 it is one of the three greatest Golden Cockerel Press books and according to Cave & Mason its "naughty amusing" engravings make it one of the five "foremost English illustrated books of the 20th century." It was produced at the zenith of the decade-long collaboration between Golden Cockerel Press director and book designer Robert Gibbings 1889-1958 and artist Eric Gill 1882-1940 which in the words of Gill biographer Fiona McCarthy "resulted in some of the classic examples of specialist book production of that period" works that "have a forcefulness and clarity which still excites one." While some squeamish critics deemed Gill's racy engravings inappropriate the bawdy Chaucer would no doubt have been delighted with them and found them most apt. Colin Franklin astutely observed that the "Gill/Gibbings version of 'Canterbury Tales' tackled the problems of illustrating Chaucer IN ALL HIS MOODS. emphasis in original." Cave & Mason report that its publication was "regarded as a literary event" and was widely reported and well received by the press. The book was very profitable grossing some £14000 for the Press. It is to be expected that a major production from a major press like the Golden Cockerel "Tales" would in many cases be very well treated by owners down through the years but copies now are almost never found in the immaculate condition seen here. Golden Cockerel Press unknown

Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts · Vereinigte Staaten28.600,00 $≈ 25.551,70 €

GILL, ERIC, Illustrator (GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS). CHAUCER, GEOFFREYABAA

THE CANTERBURY TALES

Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts · Vereinigte Staaten28.600,00 $≈ 25.551,70 €

Goeffrey Chaucer, edited and augmented by John StoweBiblio.com

Works. The Woorkes of Geffrey Chaucer Newly Printed with Divers Addicions whiche were Never in Printe Before: With the siege and destruccion of the worthy citee of Thebes compiled by Jhon Lidgate Monke of Berie. As in the table more plainly dooeth appere. First issue of the Stowe Edition.

1561Best.-Nr. 1489Full calf. Probable first issue of the Stowe Edition with Chaucer's arms dated 1560 and before woodcut additions. Relative to the precedence of issues of the 1561 Stowe edition David R. Carlson "The Woodcut Illustrations in Early Printed Editions of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales" in Chaucer Illustrated: Five Hundred Years of The Canterbury Tales in Pictures British Library 2003 states "the most plausible explanation seems to be that the printer and publisher of the Stowe edition came into possession of the woodcuts belatedly after most of the press work for the edition had been done. After obtaining the blocks they ran up a new issue of the beginning of the book incorporating a "General Prologue" illustrated with woodcut. In all documented cases the unillustrated i.e. first"General Prologue" occurs with a title page showing the Chaucer arms dated 1560 at the top of the shield. A different title-page dated 1561 is found in copies incorporating the woodcut illustrated General Prologue." v. also David R. Carlson "Woodcut Illustrations of the Canterbury Tales 1483-1602. More specifically a recent Robert Temple Catalogue adds: "The first three gatherings in the 1561 second issue were entirely reprinted this being done to permit the inclusion of twenty-two wood-cut illustrations in the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales the signatures running floret4 floretiii being mis-signed Aiii 6 A4 B - I6. instead of the floret4 A - I6. of the first issue. In the illustrated i.e. second issue some damage to the wood-cut frame of the first secondary title is apparent which is not evident in the first issue: a crack in the wood extends from the centre of the lower edge up through the box identifying King Henry IIII to just left of centre of the title box and another from the top left-hand corner of the title-box through the box identifying King Henry VII and ending apparently at a worm-hole in its top rules. STC 2nd edition unaccountably and without assigning a reason lists these two issues in the reverse order - despite the evidence in the illustrated issue of the later date on the title-page the obviously interpolated gathering `' which contains the first six illustrated leaves of ten the rest being in the variant short gathering `A' and the extended splitting of the wood-block on the title-page to the Canterbury Tales which shows only a slight split at the extreme tail in the first printing and no worm-hole." Professional restoration to the present copy include wash and repair of title page with ancient replacement of top inch and periphery of same not affecting text; repapering of Prologue gutters; new pastedowns & fly papers. All that said a complete copy without loss of text. Light peripheral worming. Handsomely bound in appropriate period style full ruled English calf five raised bands six compartments; morocco title & date labels. This copy was presented by the Durants to Wellesley College then sold in 1912 to George Herbert Palmer & then to Lewis Kennedy Morse. Folio 12 3/16 x 8 1/2 inches 310 x 215 mm; 5 ccclxxviii leaves. Divisional title pages of the "Caunterburie Tales" and "Romaunt of the Rose" both borrowed from Edward Hall's 1550 Vnion of the two noble and illustre famelies of Lancastre & Yorke in ornamental border showing the ascent of Henry VIII. Large woodcut of the Knight at the head of his tale recto of B1. Collation: Floret4; A-I6; K-U6; Aa-Ii6. Kk-Pp6; Q-U6; X-Z6; Aaa-Iii6; Kkk-Uuu8. Numerous oddities in foliation following CCXXIV though catchwords and signatures remain constant. A handsome & supple copy beautifully printed in fifty-six line two-column black-letter Gothic. The 1561 Stowe edition is probably the one known to William Shakespeare and Edmund Spenser and presents some nineteen poems here first printed from manuscript sources. STC5076 Foregoing copyright 2024.; Folio ; Additional images and further information provided upon request. ; All shipments through USPS insured Priority Mail. John Kyngston for Jhon Wight hardcover