1991.1016.996.G1

The Works Of Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer (author), William Morris (designer), William Morris (printer), Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones (illustrator), Kelmscott Press (publisher), W.H. Hooper (engraver), R M Catterson-Smith (painter), F.S. Ellis (editor), Emery Walker (collector), Eddington Bindery (binder)

Private press book, entitled 'The Works Of Geoffrey Chaucer' by Geoffrey Chaucer. Edited by F.S.Ellis with illustrations by Sir Edward Burne Jones. These original pencil drawings by Burne-Jones were interpreted in black and white first by R. Catterson-Smith before being engraved by William Harcourt Hooper onto wooden blocks. With title page, borders, initial word designs and illuminated initials by William Morris. Copy given by William Morris to Emery Walker, July 11th 1896. This edition set a bench mark for book design at the end of the 19th century and combines William Morris's passions of Medieval literature and his Socialist philosophy. The Kelmscott Chaucer took William Morris nearly four years to produce. To speed the process up Emery Walker suggested using electrotypes for the initial designs. The Chaucer type was used for the main text and the Troy Type for the headings. Published by the Kelmscott Press 1896.

, London, London

Late 19th century

paper, cotton, gilt, leather, wood, pig skin, velvet

to Emery Walker / from / William Morris / July 11th 1896