Chaucer, Geoffrey

folio (328 x 224mm.), edited by William Thynne with additions by John Stow, double column, general title with large woodcut of Chaucer's arms with shield dated 1560 and text in black letter, usual state of this issue with Canterbury Tales sub-title and prologue reprinted (collating A⁶ and without woodcuts), 'Caunterburie Tales' and 'Romaunt of the Rose' titles within woodcut borders (McKerrow & Ferguson 75), woodcut illustration for The Knight's Tale (leaf B1r, first used in the 1550 edition), woodcut initials, some early annotations in ink, later red morocco by Bedford handsomely decorated in blind with repeated ornaments and tools, spine in seven compartments lettered in gilt, all edges gilt, new endpapers, title page and first leaf of Prologue with some restoration at margins, a few repaired tears on some leaves, some very occasional light staining, repairs and marginal restoration to final leaf 3v8 (affecting a few letters), some leaves washed

H. Westfaling, sixteenth-century ownership signature on title page, probably Herbert Westfaling (or Westphaling) [or possibly his son, also Herbert], of Mansell Gamage, Herefordshire, 1531/2-1602, bishop of Hereford]; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

Herbert Westfaling's family originated in Westphalia and he entered Christ Church in 1547 aged fifteen. Archbishop Parker mentioned him in 1570 as a possible bishop of Oxford and he was consecrated bishop of Hereford in January 1586, where he was known for his zeal in converting Roman Catholics, "and was regarded by the lords in council as a fit and able person to be employed in conferences with Jesuits and other recusants... His personal library contained works by leading reformers of his time, his will mentioning the works of Calvin in folio, which he donated to Christ Church, Oxford, and nine volumes by Wolfgang Musculus, which he bequeathed to Hereford Cathedral Library. Shortly before his death he donated £20 to the Bodleian Library for the purchase of new books" (ODNB). Also see David Pearson, "The Libraries of English Bishops, 1600-40", The Library, sixth series, vol.14, no.3, pp. 221-257. The nine volumes by Musculus were eight biblical commentaries and his Loci communes, printed at Basel between 1555 and 1570; these books are still in the Cathedral Library today.

STC 5076; Grolier Langland to Prior 42; Pforzheimer 176; Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica 901; Bartlett 206

Unless otherwise stated condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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THE EDITION OF CHAUCER'S WORKS WHICH WAS PROBABLY USED BY SHAKESPEARE AS A SOURCE FOR THE STORY OF "TROILUS AND CRESSIDA" (see Bartlett). There were two recorded issues of this date, one (STC 5075) with the title within a woodcut border (McKerrow & Ferguson 67) and another (STC 5076, as here) omitting the preliminary woodcuts (so with the preliminaries collating A⁶) and with the title above a large woodcut of Chaucer's arms. The traditional view was that the illustrated issue was printed first, and then the cuts omitted in the second issue when the blocks were worn out. Recently however (see 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) it has been contested that the printer came into possession of the cuts belatedly, and the unillustrated issue appeared first.