One of only 48 copies in the Doves binding. A magnificent copy of the Kelmscott Chaucer; one of only 48 copies, from the edition of 425 copies on paper, in the pigskin binding designed by William Morris and executed at the Doves Bindery by T. J. Cobden-Sanderson, dated 1896.

The most ambitious and magnificent book of the Press, the Kelmscott Chaucer was four years in the making. Morris designed the watermark for the paper, which was copied from an Italian incunable in Morris' collection and made entirely of linen by Batchelor. It took several requests before Clarendon Press granted permission to use Skeat's new edition of Chaucer.

Burne-Jones devoted all his Sundays for almost three years to the work, and Morris came to talk with him as he drew. As the artist worked he increased the number of proposed illustrations from 48 to 60 to 72 to 87, and Morris accepted each change. The process of adapting the drawings to the woodblock, and engraving them, was entrusted to W. H. Hooper and R. Catterson-Smith, with Burne-Jones closely supervising every detail.

A work described as 'perfect... both in design and in the quality of the printing... the last and the most magnificent, the Kelmscott Chaucer' (PMM, p.223).

'The finest book ever printed - if W. M. had done nothing else it would be enough...' (Burne-Jones).

The total edition comprised 438 copies: 425 on paper and 13 on vellum. Of these, only 50 copies were bound by the Doves Bindery (48 with paper, 2 with vellum).

Limited edition, one of 48 copies, from the edition of 425 copies on paper, in the Doves binding designed by William Morris, from a total edition of 438; folio (43 x 29 cm); Chaucer type, headings to longer poems in Troy type, printed in red and black, 87 woodcut illustrations designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, 14 large borders, ornamental woodcut title, 18 different frames around illustrations, 26 initials designed by William Morris; publisher's full pigskin, toned, over wooden boards designed by William Morris and executed under supervision of T. J. Cobden-Sanderson at the Doves Bindery, Doves Bindery mark to inside rear cover dated 1896, covers tooled in blind, richly decorated in gothic style, with floral ornaments and vine branches, blindstamped lettering to upper cover, all edges gilt, uncut, with original clasps, joints and spine caps expertly restored; housed in modern quarter tan morocco slipcase with cloth chemise, gilt lettering to spine.

The Artist & the Book 45; Clark Library, Kelmscott and Doves, pp.46-48; Peterson A40; Ransom, Private Presses, p.329, no. 40; Ray, The Illustrator and the Book in England, 258; Sparling 40; Tomkinson, p.117, no. 40.