82. Chaucer (Geoffrey) The Works, edited by F.S.Ellis, one of 425 copies on paper , printed in red and black in Chaucer and Troy types, 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 Sir Edward Burne-Jones, bookplate of Marie-Louise and Samuel Rosenthal on front pastedown, slight traces of tape on front free endpaper where note previously tipped in, original holland-backed boards, uncut, paper label on spine, boards very slightly soiled, paper on lower cover a little scuffed and repaired at edge adjoining cloth, preserved in fleece-lined morocco-backed cloth drop-back box with gilt-stamped black morocco label on spine and upper cover, [Peterson 40; PMM 367 note], folio, Kelmscott Press, 1896.
est. £30000 – £40000
The most important work from the Kelmscott Press, and arguably the greatest of all private press books . Morris began discussing the project in 1891 and finally issued the book to subscribers in June 1896, a few weeks before his death.