FULL TITLE: The Workes of our ancient and learned English poet, Geffrey Chaucer, newly printed. To that which was done in the former impression, thus much is now added. 1 In the life of Chaucer many things inserted. 2 The whole worke by old copies reformed. 3 Sentences and prouerbes noted. 4 The signification of the old and obscure words provued: also caracters shewing from what tongue or dialect they be deriued. 5 The Latine and French, not Englished by Chaucer, translated. 6 The treatise called Iacke Vpland, against friers: and Chaucers A.B.C. called La priere de nostre Dame, at this impression added
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Written by Geoffrey Chaucer
Published by Impensis. Geor. (George) Bishop, Londini (London), anoo. 1602. [Adam Islip]
Language: Middle (Chaucerian) & 17th-century English
DESCRIPTION: Hard Cover. Good Condition. Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Workes of our ancient and learned English poet, Geffrey Chaucer. London: George Bishop, 1502. Folio. Seventh edition of Chaucer's Workes, second Thomas Sepght revised edition by Francis Thynne, one of two issues printed by Adam Islip (OCLC 1031852709): "(t)his issue without Islip's name on the title page and the title within an ornamental border (McKerrow & Ferguson 148)," and with printed cancel slip pasted at the bottom right-column of folio 88v, which includes the first line of text that was missing from fol. 89; Gothic type, printed in double-column, title with architectural woodcut border, half-title on leaf c4., head and tail pieces, woodcut historiated initials throughout; with portrait of copper-plate of Chaucer, after Hoccleve, by John Speed, and woodcut of Knight as in 1598 edition. Bound in contemporary calf with gold-gilt Elizabeth I coat of arms on front and back boards, rebacked spine with "Chaucer 1602" on black-leather label. Provenance: signature of previous owner in old ink, signed and dated "Jon Poley de Bogled 1711" on architectural title-page; coat of arms on front and back boards, with added initials "E.H." in gold-gilt.
A foundational text of the English canon, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales stands as a window to medieval society, literature, and thought. Its importance in the standardization of both dialect and literary form cannot be overstated. "This edition was considerably revised mainly with the aid of Francis Thynne. It is the earliest in which thorough punctuation was attempted, and in many other ways it is a distinct improvement upon Speght's first edition"(Pforzheimer 178).
References [ OCLC 1031852709, Pforzheimer 178, STC 5081, ETSC S107214, McKerrow & Ferguson 148].
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CONDITION: Good condition, spine completely rebacked, rebacked boards with edge repairs, contemporary calf with wear and marks, modern endpapers, old bookseller description in pencil on front pastedown and another note on ffep, occasional notes from previous owner (eg. fol. 101), as well as numerous manicules; architerctural title page with edge wear, some ink stains and other marks throughout, some page creasing, several page, corner, and marginal tears, some significant ( including on A6, fol. 3, fol. 102, fol. 248 with lack with minor interruption to text, fol. 333 and 334, with lack affecting text on verso); from Uuu2 until end heavily worn with signifinant marginal tears and chipping, with lacks at Uuu2 and Uuu5. Missing blank a1 and three glossary leaves (Uuu1,7 and 8). Misprint fol. 353 (ie: 351), fol. 180 misprinted as fol. 178, with continued misfoliation; leaf 3S4 signed 3S3
BOOK MEASUREMENTS: Folio: 33.6 cm x 24 cm x 5.5 cm
TOTAL LENGTH: Signatures: [a]⁶ b-c⁶ A-3N⁶ 3O⁴ 3P-3T⁶ 3U⁸ 3V⁸ (missing a1 and three glossary leaves, Uuu1,7 and 8). |
