The Canterbury Tales.

£8,000 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

one of 500 copies One of the major titles of the Golden Cockerel Press and an extraordinary collaboration between the press director and book designer Robert Gibbings (1889-1958) and artist Eric Gill (1882-1940). Printing the Canterbury Tales dominated work at the press for two and a half years, and relatively few other books were printed during that period. However, despite some critics deeming Gill's illustrations risqué and inappropriate, the book was a considerable critical and financial success and grossed £14,000. Limited edition, number 439 of 485 copies on paper, from a total edition of 500; 4 vols, small folio (31.8 x 20 cm); wood engravings by Eric Gill, including one full-page, 29 half-page, tailpieces, initials and decorative borders, initials printed in red, blue and black; original Niger morocco-backed patterned boards by Sangorski Sutcliffe, gilt lettering to spines, top edges gilt, others uncut, light rubbing to extremities, slight toning and soiling to boards, some spotting and fading to spines (as always); an attractive set. Chanticleer 63; Evan Gill 281.

• Binding: Hardcover

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