Please check our book descriptions page for guidance. The book was the product of many talented men besides morris. Morris named the press after kelmscott manor, his beloved country house in wiltshire. Notice, most importantly, how the lettering is an integral part of the design of the page, and by complementing the decoration, itself gains a decorative effect. 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. A facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer of 1900, printed for the folio society by cambridge university press. Folio society chaucer, the works of geoffrey chaucer. Morris commented on the planned folio of froissarts chronicles fig. Printed in a limited edition of only 438 copies, the works of geoffrey chaucer was published by william morriss kelmscott press in 1896. The kelmscott chaucer by chaucer, geoffrey and a great selection of related books, art and. Folio limited edition kelmscott chaucer folio society. He currently holds the position of president of the society of bookbinders.
The works of geoffrey chaucer, printed by william morris at. 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. For this facsimile edition, the folio society has created an exquisite binding based on gills own designs for the physicians and the summoners tales. An excellent reproduction of willaim morriss magnificent kelmscott chaucer, down to imitating the embossed pigskin binding of the original. Folio society for sale antiquarian collectible books.
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 geoffrey chaucer, edward burnejones, william morris on. The works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of the kelmscott press ed folio soc new. 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. Oct 29, 2014 the most ambitious and magnificent book of the press, the kelmscott chaucer was four years in the making. William morris, edward burnejones, and the kelmscott press.
As the culmination of the work of art that was morriss life, the kelmscott chaucer embodies the printers attempt to restore the connection between artist, art, and society. Kelmscott press shows the readersviewers of kelmscott books a way to gain pleasure. The leaf is from a disbound and dispersed damaged copy. The works of geoffrey chaucer book printed by kelmscott. The silver age 19601970 marks the second chapter in the folio society s collaboration with marvel comics. In a near fine slipcase with some scuffing to back.
The works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of the kelmscott. Folio society facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer mar. Im hoping some of the le fans can give me a helping hand here. This is the folio society facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer, published in 2002 in a limited edition, and republished in 2008 as an unlimited edition. First, can you confirm what my frequently faltering memory is telling me. Long before it came off the press, the kelmscott chaucer was famous. The most ambitious and magnificent book of the press, the kelmscott chaucer was four years in the making. Writing on the supposed failure of the society for the protection of ancient. The kelmscott edition of geoffrey chaucers the canterbury tales set a new benchmark for book design at the end of the 19th.
The kelmscott chaucer by chaucer geoffrey, first edition. The basilisk press by the john roberts press, 2 volumes, folio. Chaucer, geoffrey the works of geoffrey chaucer now newly imprinted. More information about this seller contact this seller 3. Folio society facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer, 2008. The kelmscott edition of geoffrey chaucer s the canterbury tales set a new benchmark for book design at the end of the 19th. We can call for large collections or high value books, or give guidance if they are to be posted. The works of geoffrey chaucer, issued by william morriss kelmscott press in 1896, is probably the most famous of all private press books, set in types, ornaments, and initials designed by morris and lavishly illustrated by sir edward burnejones. A facsimile of the william morris kelmscott chaucer with the original 87 illustrations geoffrey chaucer, john t. Nov 26, 2014 folio society chaucer, the works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer 2008, folio society, folio, cloth gilt, slipcase. Based on the limited edition released by the folio society in 2002, which was based on the best of the kelmscott chaucer facsimiles, the basilisk press facsimile.
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. Following its facsimile editions of the kelmscott chaucer and three books by eric gill, the folio society has now produced a splendid edition of morriss manuscript version of the odes of horace. Published in 1896 at morriss kelmscott press, it was immediately. The opening title page of the kelmscott chaucer is representative of all of morris ideals of the book. Works geoffrey chaucer facsimile william morris kelmscott. Most of the other kelmscott books were plain and simple. The kelmscott chaucer was most ambitious and magnificent book of the press, and four years in the making.
Over 30 revolutionary super heroes await you, including spiderman, the avengers and doctor strange. Folio society works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of. Offers to join the folio society are regularly made in press advertisements worldwide. Published by hammersmith kelmscott press 1896 1896 used. A facsimile of the william morris kelmscott chaucer with the original 87 illustrations by geoffrey chaucer and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The kelmscott chaucer collector s library editions book. The kelmscott chaucer is the most memorable and beautiful edition of the complete works of the first great english poet. The kelmscott press was william morriss typographical adventure. 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. Less commonly known are their special and limited editions, produced in smaller numbers and meant for the collectors market. William morris and edward burnejones, kelmscott chaucer, first opening. The book for which william morris had such high hopes was the works of geoffrey chaucer. This is an original leaf from the kelmscott press masterpiece, the works of geoffrey chaucer, accompanied by an essay by the bookseller john windle on its commercial history. The works was the fortieth book of the press and the culmination of morriss experience.
The works of geoffrey chaucer the kelmscott press 1896. In this varied, vibrant work, gill displayed his artistic versatility, and succeeded in marrying the illuminated manuscript tradition of chaucer s time with a modernist aesthetic. Jun 11, 2008 the kelmscott chaucer was one of the last and certainly one of the most successful. Frustrated by the declining standard of printed book, morris set up his own press. Arts and crafts socialism and the kelmscott chaucer.
Aug 23, 2016 ubc library has acquired a copy of the kelmscott chaucer, one of the worlds most extraordinary books. Beautifully illustrated hardcover books folio society. Of the 425 paper copies and 15 vellum copies of the chaucer, the petersons have documented approximately twothirds of the total. Odes of horace le now available folio society devotees. Exceptional facsimile of what many consider the most beautiful of all printed books, and the masterpiece from the kelmscott press. The most celebrated private press in the history of printing1 was founded by william morris 18341896 in 1891. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Works of geoffrey chaucer folio society facsimile first this brand new. Brown buckram binding with gilt decorative design after william morris, teg.
If you have items for sale, please email us with details and your location. Simon callow reads from the canterbury tales the folio. An incomplete collection of illustrated editions of chaucers works, includes the kelmscott chaucer, with a list of all the known facsimile editions of it and 153 images of pages. The kelmscott chaucer and the golden cockerel canterbury. Just 425 copies of the original 1896 edition were published at the kelmscott press. Morris designed the watermark for the paper, which was copied from an italian incunable in.
The book illustration competition 2020 announces winner. Now please understand that i still think this book is absolutely gorgeous and i really do not have any regrets over purchasing it, even at its inflated price. We are the largest seller of secondhand folio society books in the uk. From first appearance, the chaucer gained a name as the finest book since gutenberg. It joins other famous books at ubc, such as the second folio of shakespeare, donated by walter koerner in 1960, strengthening the librarys worldrenowned colbeck collection of 19thcentury literature, which includes several extremely rare kelmscott press books.
Now world publishing company, as part of an ambitious program of making available treasures in books for todays readers, are publishing this facsimile. Even though the book was sold out before it was even published, it was not a financial success. Binding design redrawn by daid eccles from a copy of the kelmscott chaucer bound by t. Finally, here is comparison of kelmscott chaucer and the romance of king arthur. Selling secondhand folio society books ardis books. Chaucer william morris abebooks shop for books, art. Posts about facsimile editions written by peterson10. The works of geoffrey chaucer together with a companion volume to the kelmscott chaucer chaucer geoffrey london. The size of its folio leaves were 425mm x 292mm 16. A history, in an elegant threevolume edition from the folio society, fully updated by the author. The works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of the kelmscott chaucer limited edition. The kelmscott chaucer has been called one of the most beautiful books of the nineteenth century and of all times. Folio society works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of kelmscott press.
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. The works of chaucer, including the complete text of the canterbury tales, printed in 1896 from the kelmscott press of william morris, with his own vineleaf borders and eightyseven woodcuts by edward burnejones, is recognized as one of the finest examples of book production in the world. Ubc library acquires a copy of the kelmscott chaucer. Folio limited edition kelmscott chaucer folio society devotees. Ubc library has acquired of one of the worlds most extraordinary books. Works geoffrey chaucer facsimile william morris kelmscott by. The folio society is well known for their finely produced, slipcased books, often specially illustrated and custom designed for the society, which are ubiquitous on the readers market. Bound in elaborate giltdecorated, redbrown buckram, 17 x 12 x 3. The works of geoffrey chaucer by kelmscott press chaucer. The kelmscott chaucer joins such famous books as the gutenberg bible and shakespeares first folio with a census of known copies. 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. The kelmscott chaucer collectors library editions by.
The kelmscott chaucer collector s library editions geoffrey chaucer on. One of the greatest examples of the art of the printed book, chaucer is the most ornate of the kelmscott publications. Published by london printed for the folio society by cambridge university press 2008 2008. Burnejones referred to the work as a pocket cathedral. 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. Im now watching it to track the price, but i wont be bidding. Limited edition numbered facsimile of the kelmscott press edition published in by the folio society in 2002. Explore william morriss kelmscott chaucer on the british librarys website. 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. Usually the offer is a set of books at a substantially discounted price in return for which one buys four books sometimes higher value books count as 2 or more volumes at full price from the society. Jun 14, 2010 the works of geoffrey chaucer, printed by william morris at the kelmscott press by megan mulder on june 14, 2010 in rare book of the month william morris 18341896 is a towering figure in the artistic and cultural history of victorian britain. The rubaiyat of omar khayyam edward fitzgerald folio society limited edn. For the first time, fullcolour images illustrate norman daviess magisterial work, europe. The kelmscott chaucer and the golden cockerel canterbury tales.
A census, published by oak knoll press in april 2011. Peterson, bernard roberts from amazons fiction books store. A folio of toned vellum was added at each end and the edges were gilt on the deckle. A landmark of english poetry, the canterbury tales has appeared in many illustrated editions. Chaucer type, with headings to the longer poems in troy type. Geoffrey chaucer rare book by famed kelmscott press appears for sale the kelmscott chaucer comprising the works of geoffrey chaucer is auctioning i. Today it is one of the most sought after volumes in the history of book making.
Upon its 1896 publication, the athenaeum stated, in its own style, the book is, beyond dispute, the finest ever issued, and to this day it is regarded as one of the most. William morris and the kelmscott press cleveland museum of art. The william morris gallery in walthamstow, england, is a public museum devoted to morriss life, work and influence. 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. I seem to recall there have been two folio editions of this glorious work, one with a facsimile of the original binding, the. Actor simon callow reads from the folio limited edition of the canterbury tales. This elephant folio is a faithful reproduction of william morris kelmscott chaucer with the famous eightyseven woodengraved illustrations by edward burnejones. For all their decorative richness, the books maintain a clarity and simplicity that make them easy to read as well as a delight to the eye. Leaf from the kelmscott chaucer the kelmscott bookshop an. The kelmscott chaucer by chaucer geoffrey abebooks. Geoffrey chaucer rare book by famed kelmscott press appears. Folio society works of geoffrey chaucer facsimile of the kelmscott press edition.
Ardis books item for sale ardis books folio society. A facsimile of the william morris kelmscott chaucer. And its small, pleasant in the hand for reading by the look of it, unlike the overlarge fs rime of the ancient mariner. Morris, a pivotal figure in the arts and crafts movement, spent four years designing what he believed to be the ideal book. The kelmscott chaucer updating the kelmscott chaucer census. The kelmscott chaucer an excerpt from an afterword by william s. The text was edited by frederick startridge ellis 18301901, ornamented with 87 pictures designed by edward burnejones 18331898, and engraved on wood by william harcourt hooper 18341912. Here is the kelmscott chaucer compared to the faerie queene. Queen mary atlas folio society huge book with case 23 tall. It turned up in my usual search of uk ebay folio society auctionstyle listings thanks for that. William bowden was engaged as masterprinter to run the practical side of the business. William morris, the kelmscott press chaucer, and the princeton university library.
William morriss kelmscott chaucer was the culminating masterpiece of his. Ubc library acquires copy of the most beautiful of all. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. Broad collection of folio society at hard to beat prices. Kelmscott chaucer folio society devotees librarything.
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