Kelmscott Press

Chaucer, Geoffrey.  The Works ... Now Newly Imprinted.  [Edited by F. S. Ellis].  Hammersmith, 1896



Folio (16  3/4  x 11  1/2  in.; 425 x 292 mm, uncut ).  Double columns, Chaucer type, some headings in Troy type, wood-engraved title-page, 14 full-page foliated borders, 18 narrow borders enclosing text illustrations, 26 large white-on-black initials, numerous 10-line and smaller white-on-black and black-on-white initials, printer's ornaments, printer's device, by C. E. Keates, W. H. Hooper, and W. Spielmeyer after designs by William Morris, 87 text illustrations by Edward Burne-Jones, redrawn in ink by R. Catterson-Smith and engraved by W. H. Hooper.  Modern crushed brown morocco, spine gilt-lettered, upper cover with gilt-tooled floral border.  Half brown morocco folding-case, spine gilt-lettered.

Artist and the Book  45; Manet to Hockney 9; Peterson A40; Peterson, The Kelmscott Press, pp. 228–257

Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Works ... Now Newly Imprinted. [Edited by F. S. Ellis]. Hammersmith, 1896 Folio (16 3/4 x 11 1/2 in.; 425 x 292 mm, uncut ). Double columns, Chaucer type, some headings in Troy type, wood-engraved title-page, 14 full-page foliated borders, 18 narrow borders enclosing text illustrations, 26 large white-on-black initials, numerous 10-line and smaller white-on-black and black-on-white initials, printer's ornaments, printer's device, by C. E. Keates, W. H. Hooper, and W. Spielmeyer after designs by William Morris, 87 text illustrations by Edward Burne-Jones, redrawn in ink by R. Catterson-Smith and engraved by W. H. Hooper. Modern crushed brown morocco, spine gilt-lettered, upper cover with gilt-tooled floral border. Half brown morocco folding-case, spine gilt-lettered. A fine copy, crisp and clean.
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.

One of 425 copies on paper (of a whole edition of 438) of the final great work from the Kelmscott Press.  This magnificent production "came at the end of Morris's life, when he was able to pour into a single volume all his bibliophilic passion and his unmatched skill as a designer of ornaments; it is significant that even those readers who find Morris's pages too heavy or congested for their tastes feel compelled, in the end, to pay tribute to the Chaucer as one of the great books of the world" (Peterson).  The magnificent Burne-Jones illustrations have be much admired as "images that are disconcertingly 'modern'" (Manet to Hockney).

A fine copy, crisp and clean, in a sympathetic modern morocco binding.