Chaucer, Geoffrey | edited by Alfred W. Pollard; illustrations by Hugh Chesterman and Lynton Lamb; lettering for the title pages and headings was designed by Joscelyne Gaskin

[Shakespeare Head Press] THE WORKS OF GEOFFREY CHAUCER (8 Volumes, Complete, w/Prospectus)

Oxford: Printed by Shakespeare Head Press for Basil Blackwell, 1928-9. Hard Cover. Very Good binding. Item #5058

Quarto. Vol I: [6], 224; II: [6], 213; III: [6], 201; IV: [6], 217; V: [6], 177; VI: [6], 300, [1]; VII: [8], 250; VIII: [6], 252, [1] pp., with bifolium prospectus, printed on four pages, one of which is a "trial page." Limited Edition, numbered 218 of 375 printed on Batchelor's Kelmscott handmade paper. As issued, with Holland backed boards with printed paper spine label. Unopened textblocks, except for Volume I; additional spine label for each volume is laid in at the back of the volume. Light toning to the cloth and labels as well as occasional light soiling to the boards--Volume III in particular. The front free endpaper of Volume I is partially excised; previous owner name is on the following blank leaf. Deckled edges are intermittently dusty. By all accounts a lovely set with hand-drawn pilcrows and colored embellishments throughout. Begun in 1904, Shakespeare Head Press took its mature shape under the design of Bernard Newdigate who joined the Press in 1920. Along with Froissart and Spenser, The Works of Chaucer is among the highpoints of the Press--a perfect use of Caslon type and embellished by charming hand-colored illustrations that are beautifully suited to the texts. Ransom 60; Rogerson 102; B.H.N. p. 45; Roderick Cave, The Private Press; Colin Franklin, The Private Presses.

Price: $1,500.00