The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer

DESCRIPTION: The Canterbury Tales of Geoffrey Chaucer, Philip Lee Warner for the Medici Society, 1913. 3 volumes. Quarto (4to.) 10 5/8 x 8 inches (272 x 204 mm). Vol. 1: 239 pp., vol. 2 221 pp., vol. 3 187 pp. Printed by the Riccardi Press in an edition of 500 copies, this is set No. 322. Deluxe limp vellum bindings with green silk ties, each with its original dust jacket. Spines and front covers lettered in gilt, top edges gilt, others uncut. Letterpress printed by the Chiswick Press for the Riccardi Press using the unique Riccardi font (type) on Riccardi hand-made paper. Illustrated with 36 mounted color plates by Sir William Russell Flint (12 per volume) with captioned tissue guards. Signed by the illustrator in the colophon. Original dust jackets protected with clear Brodart wrappers. Four page prospectus with advertisements and a single bookmark included. ____CONDITION: Protected with their original dust jackets these volumes are in very fine condition throughout. The variation in tone and color of the vellum bindings is normal and characteristic of 'honeyed' vellum, most pronounced in the rear cover of volume three. The vellum bindings retain their lustrous sheen and the gilt titling is sharp and clear. All green silk ribbon ties are present without wear or soiling. Pages are bright and white, all illustrations intact as are the captioned tissue guards. Dust jackets show darkening at their spine and are lightly chipped at the edges but remain intact. An exceptional set that is little changed from new. ____DISCUSSION: The Medici Society books were printed by the highly regarded Chiswick Press. The Riccardi font was unique to the Medici Society and it is legible and elegant in the same manner as the more famous Doves Press type. The full page color illustrations by Sir William Russell Flint are a highlight. Overall, a desirable luxury private press edition of the Canterbury Tales. NOTE: This is a heavy, bulky set and international shipping cost is $75 U.S. dollars.