Description: In stunning gilt-decorated blue-green full leather and burgundy calf spine with old gilt to top page ends, this is a rare First Impression of the Medici Society’s One Volume Popular Edition of “The Canterbury Tales of Geoffrey Chaucer” (London, Jonathan Cape and the Medici Society, 1928) with 24 magnificent color plates (including frontispiece) by William Russell Flint. As the statement on the copyright page reads: “This edition First Printed in the Riccardi Press Books, 3 Volumes, Extra Crown Quarto, 1913. Popular Edition 1 Vol., Small Crown Quarto, 1928.” The large weighty book is in very good condition. Crown shows minor chipping and edges show light age wear with a few surface chips. The binding is square and gutters have no cracks or tears (see photo) but the hinges are a bit weak and boards open easily. Gilt décor and titles to spine are quite bright (“London” at heel). Gilt to top page ends is somewhat dulled in spots but still quite noticeable. Page ends show some old age soiling but not too badly. Including frontispiece (under original tissue guard), all color plates are present and interior contents are about fine with no errant marks to interior pages, save a page or two with small marginal graphite rubs. The tissue guard shows some foxing; interior pages almost none. Paper end papers show an even shadowed margin around their edges which presumably was by design. FFEP bears an old previous owners name (possibly of some importance), her location and December 1931 date. The book has been well stored in an Edwardian closed book case for a couple of decades. You can find this rare 1st Impression of the one volume Medici Edition in cloth but, to the best of my knowledge, there are very few in full decorative calf on the WEB and prices are far more than this. The opening bid is $99.99 with a reasonable Buy It Now. Buyer pays $7.50 boxed and padded media rate shipping (heavy book) in the USA. I do not ship directly overseas but will use Ebay’s service. Books are returnable in same condition for a full refund.
Price: 99.99 USD
Location: McLean, Virginia
End Time: 2024-11-17T21:57:43.000Z
Shipping Cost: 7.5 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Binding: Leather
Language: English
Illustrator: William Russell Flint
Special Attributes: 1st Edition, Illustrated
Author: Geoffrey Chaucer
Publisher: Jonathan Cape and the Medici Society
Topic: Classics
Subject: Literature & Fiction
Character Family: Chaucer
Year Printed: 1928
Original/Facsimile: Original
