![CHAUCER, Geoffrey (1345-1400). The Works. Edited by Thomas Speght (fl. 1600). London: Geor[ge] Bishop, 1598.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2001/NYR/2001_NYR_09878_0178_000(033322).jpg?w=1)
Details
CHAUCER, Geoffrey (1345-1400). The Works. Edited by Thomas Speght (fl. 1600). London: Geor[ge] Bishop, 1598.
2o (302 x 196mm). Black letter in double column. Woodcut title border (McKerrow and Ferguson 148), three divisional titles within repeated woodcut border (McKerrow and Ferguson 75), woodcut arms of Chaucer on A6v and woodblock illustration to "The Knight's Tale" at head of B1, woodcut historiated and floral initials. Engraved portrait of the author before b1 (missigned c1, outer margin renewed). (Upper margin of title restored with a few details of border retouched, occasional single wormhole affecting letters at beginning and end, gutter margins repaired on preliminaries, last two leaves with margins repaired, C2-5 and a few other leaves cut short at margins and possibly supplied from another copy, light browning throughout, initial and final blanks removed.) Brown morocco gilt, edges gilt, by Riviere. Provenance: Louis H. Silver (morocco book label), purchased through John Howell at the sale of Newberry Library duplicates from the Silver accession, Sotheby's, London, 8 November 1965, lot 64, for £100.
Sixth edition, the first to be edited by Speght, who introduced a biography in English and a glossary of words used by Chaucer. Hind I, 286-87, plate 121b; Luborsky and Ingram English Illustrated Books 1536-1603 I, p. 278; Pforzheimer 177; STC 5077.
2o (302 x 196mm). Black letter in double column. Woodcut title border (McKerrow and Ferguson 148), three divisional titles within repeated woodcut border (McKerrow and Ferguson 75), woodcut arms of Chaucer on A6v and woodblock illustration to "The Knight's Tale" at head of B1, woodcut historiated and floral initials. Engraved portrait of the author before b1 (missigned c1, outer margin renewed). (Upper margin of title restored with a few details of border retouched, occasional single wormhole affecting letters at beginning and end, gutter margins repaired on preliminaries, last two leaves with margins repaired, C2-5 and a few other leaves cut short at margins and possibly supplied from another copy, light browning throughout, initial and final blanks removed.) Brown morocco gilt, edges gilt, by Riviere. Provenance: Louis H. Silver (morocco book label), purchased through John Howell at the sale of Newberry Library duplicates from the Silver accession, Sotheby's, London, 8 November 1965, lot 64, for £100.
Sixth edition, the first to be edited by Speght, who introduced a biography in English and a glossary of words used by Chaucer. Hind I, 286-87, plate 121b; Luborsky and Ingram English Illustrated Books 1536-1603 I, p. 278; Pforzheimer 177; STC 5077.