THE WORKS OF GEOFFREY CHAUCER

First edition in this binding. Bound in full terracotta buckram, blocked in gilt to the front panel and spine with a design by William Morris, lettered in gilt to the spine. In the maroon paper-covered card slipcase lettered in gilt to the front panel. Pale grey endpapers, top edge gilt (fore- and lower edges untrimmed), bound-in black ribbon bookmark. The binding design is by David Pearson and has been executed by the Sigloch Buchbinderei in Blaufelden, Germany. Printed by Cambridge University Press on Oxenford twin-wire laid paper made at the James Cropper Mill at Burneside in Cumbria. A fine copy, presenting as new, with just a few light surface marks to the slipcase. A beautifully produced facsimile of this landmark in the history of printing.

This 2008 reprint of the 2002 limited edition Folio Society facsimile (described as an 'unlimited' edition, although now out of print) reproduces in extraordinary detail and quality the most ambitious and magnificent book to be produced by William Morris' legendary Kelmscott Press, described by W. B. Yeats as "the most beautiful of all printed books". Edward Burne-Jones called it "a pocket cathedral it is so full of design" and "the finest book ever printed; if W. M. had done nothing else it would be enough". Burne-Jones devoted all his Sundays for almost three years to the work, and Morris came to talk with him as he drew. As the artist worked he increased the number of proposed illustrations from 48 to 60 to 72 to 87 and Morris accepted each change. The process of adapting the drawings to the woodblock and engraving them, was entrusted to W. H. Hooper and R. Catterson-Smith, with Burne-Jones closely supervising every detail.