The most ambitious and magnificent book of the press, the kelmscott chaucer was four years in the making. The kelmscott chaucer was most ambitious and magnificent book of the press, and four years in the making. Often called the most beautiful book ever published, william morris acclaimed masterpiece the kelmscott chaucer set a new precedent for book design at the end of the 19th century, and was breathtaking in its number of illustrations and rich borders. Published in 1896 at morriss kelmscott press, it was immediately hailed as a masterpiece of book. An extraordinary facsimile of the kelmscott press masterpiece, and what many consider the most beautiful of all printed books. It is huge, heavy, giltedged, and the sumptuous artwork of william morris and edward burnejones is beautifully reproduced.
Oct 29, 2014 the most ambitious and magnificent book of the press, the kelmscott chaucer was four years in the making. Peterson, bernard roberts from amazons fiction books store. The kelmscott chaucer updating the kelmscott chaucer census. Other articles where the works of geoffrey chaucer is discussed. Bound in elaborate giltdecorated, redbrown buckram, 17 x 12 x 3. It is huge, heavy, giltedged, and the sumptuous artwork of william morris and edward burnejones is beautifully. The kelmscott chaucer received more notice than any of the fiftythree other titles from morriss press.
Of the 425 paper copies and 15 vellum copies of the chaucer, the petersons have documented approximately twothirds of the total. The kelmscott chaucer joins such famous books as the gutenberg bible and shakespeares first folio with a census of known copies. The works of geoffrey chaucer now newly imprinted, facsimile edition of the kelmscott chaucer, folio society, 2002, monochrome illustrations by edward burnejones, border decorations by william morris, woodcut initial letters throughout, titles and headings printed in red, original gilt decorated cream nigerian goatskin by smith settle, otley, to a design by david eccles after t. The facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer has been printed for the folio society, london by cambridge university press and completed on the 20th day of february. Binding design redrawn by daid eccles from a copy of the kelmscott chaucer bound by t. Special and limited editions by the folio society for sale by wilfrid m. The kelmscott press edition of the works of geoffrey chaucer, with decorations by morris and illustrations by burnejones, is sometimes counted among the most beautiful books ever produced. The facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer has been printed for the folio society, london by cambridge university press and completed on the 20th day of february, 2002. First, his love of medieval literature, which inspired the subjects and style of much of his own writing. Jan 01, 2008 the collectors library edition of the kelmscott chaucer is an absolutely beautiful book. In a near fine slipcase with some scuffing to back.
One of the earliest references to the book in the athenaeum, 22 october 1892 struck the note of admiration bordering on adoration that recurs in nearly all future allusions to it. Im hoping some of the le fans can give me a helping hand here. Works geoffrey of the edition folio chaucer press the soc of facsimile kelmscott kelmscott soc facsimile of works chaucer press folio geoffrey the the of edition canterbury tales chaucer 1970. The kelmscott chaucer is the most famous book of the modern private press movement, and the culmination of william morriss endeavor the artist and the book. Folio society chaucer, the works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer 2008, folio society, folio, cloth gilt, slipcase. The works of geoffrey chaucer now newly imprinted, facsimile edition of the kelmscott chaucer, folio society, 2002, monochrome illustrations by edward burnejones, border decorations by. He lived at kelmscott house in hammersmith, england. Published in 1896 at morriss kelmscott press, it was immediately. The works of geoffrey chaucer together with a companion volume to the kelmscott chaucer chaucer geoffrey london. The kelmscott edition of geoffrey chaucers the canterbury tales set a new benchmark for book design at the end of the 19th century. Morris designed the watermark for the paper, which was copied from an italian.
The kelmscott chaucery designed and illuminated by william. It turned up in my usual search of uk ebay folio society auctionstyle listings thanks for that. Double column, chaucer type, headings to the longer poems in troy type, headings, incipits and explicits printed in red, 87 large woodcut illustrations after the pencil designs by edward burnejones, redrawn in ink by r. A facsimile of the william morris kelmscott chaucer, with the original 87 illustrations by edward burnejones, together with an. The kelmscott edition of geoffrey chaucer s the canterbury tales set a new benchmark for book design at the end of the 19th century. Just 425 copies of the original 1896 edition were published at the kelmscott press. The task is aided by the inclusion by the folio society with the gill facsimile of a reprint of peter hollidays article. The basilisk press by the john roberts press, 2 volumes, folio. The recent production by the folio society of wne facsimile editions of the kelmscott chaucer of 1896, and eric gills golden cockerel press canterbury tales of 192931, provides an opportunity for those of us without easy access to the originals to compare two great pieces of book design. Today it is one of the most sought after volumes in the history of book making. Visit westwood books our large shop only 5 miles from junction 37 of the m6.
Morris designed the watermark for the paper, which was copied from an italian incunable in. The folio society and house of illustration are thrilled to announce the longlist for the annual book illustration competiti. This topic is currently marked as dormantthe last message is more than 90 days old. The binding was said to have been dyed light brown and displayed signs of wear. Long before it came off the press, the kelmscott chaucer was famous. The book illustration competition 2020 announces longlist 14 february 2020.
In fact a book, printed or written, has a tendency to be a beautiful object, and that we of this age. The william morris society is based at morriss final london home, kelmscott house, hammersmith, and is an international members society, museum and venue for lectures and other morrisrelated events. The collectors library edition of the kelmscott chaucer is an absolutely beautiful book. Pirages fine book and manuscript dealer, mcminnville, oregon has recently published a chaucer leaf book entitled letters from the 15th century.
Published in 1896 at morriss kelmscott press, it was immediately hailed as a masterpiece of book production the finest publication to emerge from the arts and crafts movement and universally acclaimed as the zenith of private press publishing. The works of geoffrey chaucer book printed by kelmscott. Even the red version is enormous and very heavy so if you find it be sure to negotiate packing with seller as it could easily arrive damaged. A facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer of 1900, printed for the folio society by cambridge university press. William morris 24 march 1834 3 october 1896 was a british textile designer, poet, novelist, translator, and socialist activist associated with the british arts and crafts movement. Folio limited edition kelmscott chaucer folio society. Chaucer, geoffrey the works of geoffrey chaucer now newly imprinted. Most of the other kelmscott books were plain and simple. This is not somebodys modern translation of chaucer. I think the kelmscott is good value, especially at the introductory. Morris used the middle english text edited by oxford professor w.
The kelmscott press was, in a very real sense, the final statement, the culmination, of the work of art which was morriss life, as it was one of his final attempts to preserve the old relationships between the artist and his art and his society threatened in his day as in our own and one of his great legacies to posterity. Often called the most beautiful book ever published, william morris acclaimed masterpiece the kelmscott chaucer set a new precedent for book design at the end of the 19th century, and was. Ardis books item for sale ardis books folio society. The kelmscott press the works of geoffrey chaucer, now newly imprinted commonly. Full cream goatskin by smith settle after an original design on a copy bound by t. The recent production by the folio society of wne facsimile editions of the kelmscott chaucer of 1896, and eric gills golden cockerel press canterbury tales of 192931, provides an opportunity for those of us without easy access to the originals to compare two great pieces of book. The tenant of wildfell hall anne bronte introduced by tracy chevalier. The kelmscott press the works of geoffrey chaucer, now newly imprinted commonly referred to as the kelmscott chaucer was published in 1896 by william morris.
The works of geoffrey chaucer folio society the kelmscott. Limited edition numbered facsimile of the kelmscott press edition published in by the folio society in 2002. Chaucer, geoffrey 2011 troilus and criseyde, folio. The works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer. In 1896 morris kelmscott press, which was revolutionizing the field of typography in england, brought out a limited edition of the complete works of chaucer. The works of geoffrey chaucer by kelmscott press chaucer. The kelmscott chaucer and the golden cockerel canterbury tales. The kelmscott chaucer an excerpt from an afterword by william s.
The kelmscott chaucery designed and illuminated by. Bound in cream nigerian goatskin to a decorative gilt binding design from a copy bound by t. The kelmscott chaucer by chaucer geoffrey abebooks. Folio society works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of kelmscott press edition. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. Burnejones devoted all his sundays for almost three years to the illustrations for the work, and morris came to talk with him as he drew. The works of geoffrey chaucer the kelmscott chaucer, folio society facsimile. One of the greatest examples of the art of the printed book. The william morris gallery in walthamstow, england, is a public museum devoted to morriss life, work and influence. Now world publishing company, as part of an ambitious program of making available treasures in books for todays readers, are publishing this facsimile. In fact a book, printed or written, has a tendency to be a beautiful object, and that we of this age should generally produce ugly books, shows, i fear, something like malice prepense a determination to put our eyes in our pockets wherever. A facsimile of the william morris kelmscott chaucer with the original 87 illustrations by edward burnejones introduction by john t. This is a comprehensive compendium of chaucers works in the full flower of his own medieval english, richly festooned with ornate woodcuts and initial capitals, and presented in an.
Works geoffrey of the edition folio chaucer press the soc of facsimile kelmscott kelmscott soc facsimile of works chaucer press folio geoffrey the the of edition canterbury tales chaucer 1970 folio society hc 2 volume set classic literature canterbury tales chaucer. Im now watching it to track the price, but i wont be bidding. Today it is one of the most sought after volumes in the history of book. Folio limited edition kelmscott chaucer folio society devotees. A masterly facsimile of the acclaimed golden cockerel press edition of chaucer s masterpiece, this edition unites the talents of typographer robert gibbings and engraver eric gill.
It was also the last great project of morriss life, bringing together two of. Here is the kelmscott chaucer compared to the faerie queene. The book for which william morris had such high hopes was the works of geoffrey chaucer. Over the years, the folio society has produced a number of bibliographies, starting with the slim volume folio 21 in 1968, celebrating 21 years of the organisation, and culminating with folio 60 in 2007, which is a comprehensive history of folio society publications, with details of everything which they have published, and endeavouring to.
Folio society facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer chaucer. One of the greatest examples of the art of the printed book, chaucer is the most ornate of the kelmscott publications. Book itself is in perfect unread condition slip case has a. Folio society chaucer, the works of geoffrey chaucer. Folio, brownishred cloth, extra gilt cover, in fine publishers slipcase a handsome facsimile of the famed masterwork of the kelmscott press, created by william morris, with illustrations by edward burnejones. The kelmscott press was, in a very real sense, the final statement, the culmination, of the work of art which was morriss life, as it was one of his final attempts to preserve the old relationships between. Just like the title says, this book is the 1958 facsimile of the celebrated 1896 kelmscott edition. Kelmscott chaucer folio society devotees librarything. Published in 1896 at morriss kelmscott press, it was immediately hailed as a masterpiece of book production the.
The university of maryland libraries hold 34 kelmscott press books, indicated by call number. In a cloth clamshell box with leather title label to spine. Skeat, since he wanted the most uptodate and complete version needham, 5. The folio society and house of illustration are thrilled to announce the longlist for the annual book illustration competiti press release. Folio society buying and selling on the internet, always. The kelmscott chaucer was morris response to what he considered the cheap quality of books of the time. It was also the last great project of morriss life, bringing together two of his passions. The following is a comprehensive list of the 53 works printed at the kelmscott press. The kelmscott chaucer and the golden cockerel canterbury. This unique leaf book combines three elements a significant private press production, a substantial scholarly commentary by pirages that contributes to a further understanding of.
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