[6 (of 8)], cxciii, cxciii-cc, ccii-ccvii, ccx-cclxxi, cclxxiii-cclxxvii, cclxxix-ccclv leaves. A8, B-V6, X4, 2A-3Q6. With a few woodcut illustrations; woodcut initials. (folio) 11-3/8x7½, 19th century vellum, new endpapers, page edges stained red.
Rare, early, and significant edition of Chaucer's Works, the greatest of all medieval works of English literature and the foundation of all that came after. There were four variants of this printing, with different publisher's names listed in the colophon. This copy with a general title supplied from a different copy, with the area within the decorative border cut out, and paper on which is printed "The Works of G. Chaucer" inlaid. Lacking two leaves from the first signature (the title-leaf and another undetermined, apparently A8), and also lacking the final leaf, a blank. STC 5072.
Condition:
Soiling and marginal wear to several early leaves, some modest aging and a few light dampstains within, final leaf (3Q5) with paper reinforcement at bottom covering over some text but not imprint, folio xl with lower corner replaced, with a bout 12 lines of ms. facsimile on each side, overall very good.