Chaucer | Single proof sheet from the Kelmscottt Press edition of Parliament of Fowls, framed and glazed

Geoffrey Chaucer

A single proof sheet from the Kelmscott Chaucer. [Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896]

folio (395 x 280mm.), the final page from The Parliament of Fowls, containing the passage about birds choosing their mates on St Valentine's day, with a half-page woodcut by Burne-Jones of Nature awaiting the arrival of birds for the Parliament, woodcut border design by Morris, manuscript note in red ink at foot "Red two lines", most likely in the hand of Sydney Cockerell, therefore without the red printing which appears on the finished page, framed and glazed

The Kelmscott Chaucer was "the crowning Kelmscott Press achievement of Morris's collaboration with Burne-Jones" (William Morris, edited by Linda Parry, V&A catalogue, 1996, p.330).

LITERATURE:

Peterson A40 (whole work)

PROVENANCE:

[John W. Waterer]