The History of Godefrey of Boloyne and of the Conquest of Iherusalem Guilelmus, Archbishop of Tyre

DESCRIPTION: One of 300 copies on paper, edited by H. Halliday Sparling. Quarto (4to) 11 1/2 x 8 inches, 290 x 215 mm, 452 pages. Original limp vellum binding with silk ribbon ties and gilt titling on spine. Printed in black and red Troy type on Batchelor hand-made paper with Primrose watermark. Two full pages (title page and opening page) with elaborate wood engraved borders with numerous woodcut initials and side & corner half and three-quarter wood-engraved border ornaments. Housed in a three-sided wrap-around folding chemise which then inserts tightly inside a custom slipcase with rounded spine and five raised bands. Book is protected with a clear archival Grafix Dura Lar dust wrapper.____CONDITION: Very good. Vellum is clean and well maintained, retaining its original sheen and lustre. Slight bowing (concavity) to front and rear covers typical of limp vellum bindings of this age (131 y.o.) but less than usual because of the chemise and slipcase system of storage. Normal variation in color of vellum without soiling or staining. Three front ribbons missing but 3 of 4 rear silk ribbons intact. Small purple stamp with name of prior owner inside front cover and on title page. Gilt titling well preserved on spine, small wrinkle at foot of spine. Light overall rubbing and scuffing to the custom slipcase with a small area of separation along a seam at its base.____DISCUSSION: This is the fifth and last of the William Caxton translations published by the Kelmscott Press. The English text is quite poetical and the Caxton translations were favorites of William Morris amongst the Kelmscott Press bibliography. This edition is one of the most decorated with wood engravings amongst the Kelmscott Press books and it also contains a new printer's device after the colophon.____NOTE: International shipping cost is $55 U.S. dollars.