Beschreibung:

KELMSCOTT PRESS. -- CHAUCER, Geoffrey. The Works ... now newly imprinted . Edited by F.S. Ellis. Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896. Limited edition, one of 425 copies on paper of a total edition of 438. ‘The finest book since Gutenberg’ (Franklin). The supreme achievement of the forty year artistic collaboration between Morris and Burne-Jones, and of the Kelmscott Press: 'the final chapter of co-operation; the venture in which their particular talents are combined for the last time, and to spectacular effect' (Robinson). Earliest plans for the work date to 1891 and the book announced to Kelmscott Press subscribers in December, however the actual printing of the book did not begin until August 1894, and was only issued to subscribers in June 1896. Franklin Private Presses p.192; Peterson A40; Robinson William Morris Edward Burne-Jones and the Kelmscott Chaucer; Sparling 40. Folio (425 x 292 mm). Chaucer and Troy types, printed in black and red, woodcut title, borders and initials by C.E. Keates, W.H. Hooper and W. Spielmeyer after William Morris 87 woodcut illustrations by W.H. Hooper after Edward Burne-Jones (occasional faint and insignificant marks on fore-edges). Original holland-backed blue paper boards, printed spine label, edges uncut (spine label with some chips, inner front hinge tender, front free endpaper lightly creased); modern blindstamped calf box. Provenance : John Charrington (booklabel) -- H.L. Doolittle (booklabel). Sold with autograph letter from Morris to Arthur Joseph Gaskin (1862-1928), wood-engraver, portrait painter, jewellery designer and book illustrator.