The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye Raoul Lefevre

The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye (2 volumes) by Raoul Lefevre, William Caxton translation, Kelmscott Press, 1892. DESCRIPTION: Limited edition, one of 300 paper copies, 3 volumes in 2 (as issued). Large quarto size 11.5 x 8.5 inches (290 x 210 mm), Vol. 1: 295 ppg., Vol 2: 421 ppg. Printed in Troy type, with the table of chapters and glossary in Chaucer type, in red and black on hand-made Batchelor Flower paper. Elaborate woodcut title page, facing page with full woodcut page-border and wood engraved letter. Numerous partial woodcut page borders, capital letters and Kelmscott printer's device at end of Volume 2 (colophon), all by William Morris. Original limp vellum bindings with Yapp edges, gilt titling on spine, green silk cuts. Edges uncut. Both volumes are protected by clear archival Grafix Dura Lar dust wrappers. CONDITION: VG +. The limp vellum bindings are fresh with light dust-soiling (normal aging of vellum), gilt titling on spines is clear and legible. Vol. 1: 5 of 6 green silk ties are truncated. A small crease is present at the head of the spine. Vol. 2: 4 of 6 green silk ties are truncated. A small crease is present at the heel (foot) of the spine. Front cover is 'sprung', i.e., the front cover cover is splayed away from the text block due to drying and shrinking of the vellum with age, with subsequent retraction of the front cover away from the text block (see photo). The text pages are in fine condition without foxing or toning. A small dime-sized purple name stamp of a previous owner is present at the top of each front pastedown, below the text on the final page of Vol. 1 and just below the colophon of Vol. 2 (see photos). DISCUSSION: This is one of the early Kelmscott Press editions and the first printed using two new typefaces designed by William Morris, based upon Gothic lettering but modified for legibility. The William Caxton translation is the first English edition. The Kelmscott Press editions of William Caxton translations (note: there are five of them) are amongst the high points of the Kelmscott Press bibliography and were special favorites of Kelmscott Press founder William Morris, himself a medievalist. NOTE: International shipping cost to the United Kingdom and Europe is $55. U.S. dollars.