in royal blue morocco gilt, 1896

CHAUCER, Geoffrey (c.1340s-1500). The works ... now newly imprinted. Edited by F.S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896.

"The finest book since Gutenberg" (Franklin). Limited edition, one of 425 copies on paper of a total edition of 438. The supreme achievement of the forty-year artistic collaboration between William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, and of the Kelmscott Press: "the final chapter of co-operation; the venture in which their particular talents are combined for the last time, and to spectacular effect" (Robinson). Earliest plans for the work date to 1891 and the book was announced to Kelmscott Press subscribers in December, however the actual printing of the book did not begin until August 1894, and was only issued to subscribers in June 1896. Franklin Private Presses p.192; Peterson A40; Robinson, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones and the Kelmscott Chaucer.

Folio (417 x 280mm). Printed in black and red with Chaucer and Troy types. Woodcut title, borders and initials by C.E. Keates, W.H. Hooper and W. Spielmeyer after William Morris, woodcut illustrations by W.H. Hooper after Edward Burne-Jones, with printed notice by Morris tipped to rear pastedown (a few leaves with a little pale foxing or offsetting). Modern royal blue morocco with gilt pattern of lions and tudor roses by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, edges gilt. Custom velvet-lined box.

The Sangorski & Sutcliffe binding is modern, not contemporary to the book.