- 46
Chaucer, Geoffrey
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
Canterbury Tales, one leaf extracted from the Clerk's Tale, lines 521–578. [Westminster: William Caxton, 1476–1477]
Single leaf, chancery folio (9 1/4 x 7 3/8 in; 232 x 187 mm at longest edges), batarde type 2:135, 29 lines, comprising fo. 179 (23/3), watermark with triple fleur-de-lys in a shield (similar to Briquet 1751); top and bottom edges cut oblique to text block, two repaired tears in bottom margin, a few small stains. In a red cloth drop-box, gold-stamped title label on spine.
Single leaf, chancery folio (9 1/4 x 7 3/8 in; 232 x 187 mm at longest edges), batarde type 2:135, 29 lines, comprising fo. 179 (23/3), watermark with triple fleur-de-lys in a shield (similar to Briquet 1751); top and bottom edges cut oblique to text block, two repaired tears in bottom margin, a few small stains. In a red cloth drop-box, gold-stamped title label on spine.
Provenance
Bertram, 4th Earl of Ashburnham — Caxton Club
Literature
GKW 6585; HC4921; De Ricci 22.22; Proctor 9626; BMC XI 103 (IB.55009); see Daniel W. Mosser, "William Caxton's First Edition of the Canterbury Tales and the Origin of the Leaves for the Caxton Club's 1905 Leaf Book," in Disbound and Dispersed: The Leaf Book Considered (2005), Appendix B, p. 40 showing the location of surrounding leaves.
Condition
Single leaf, chancery folio (9 1/4 x 7 3/8 in; 232 x 187 mm at longest edges), batarde type 2:135, 29 lines, comprising fo. 179 (23/3), watermark with triple fleur-de-lys in a shield (similar to Briquet 1751); top and bottom edges cut oblique to text block, two repaired tears in bottom margin, a few small stains. In a red cloth drop-box, gold-stamped title label on spine.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
A leaf from the first edition of the Canterbury Tales, the first substantial book printed by Caxton, and the first substantial book printed in English. This is one of the leaves from the Ashburnham copy distributed by the Caxton Club in their 1905 leaf book, paginated "349" in pencil.
Our thanks to Professor Daniel W. Mosser of Virginia Polytechnic Institute for his help in the preparation of this entry.