Chaucer, Geoffrey (c. 1343-1400)
The Workes of our Antient and Lerned Poet, Newly Printed.

London: [Printed by Adam Islip, impensis] George Bishop, 1598.

First Speght edition, folio, one of three variants printed in 1598 with different imprints and varying woodcut compartments used on title page, this copy with the Nicholas Hilliard compartment dated 1574 incorporating vine-entwined columns; full-page engraved plate, The Progenie of Geffrey Chaucer, by John Speed (1551/2-1629) bound opposite b1 (mis-signed c1); dedication to editor Thomas Speght (d. 1621) by Francis Beaumont (1584-1616) dated 1597; large woodcut of Chaucer's arms, woodcut vignette at head of Knight's Tale; three divisional titles printed within woodcut compartments; text in black letter, two columns throughout, bound in contemporary English calf boards, lacking green cloth ties, old repairs including rebacking and corners (dry, rubbed), a large copy, deckle edges showing, some corners torn with loss, mostly affecting blank margin, Ddd2-3 stained; purchased from Seven Gables in 1977; 11 1/8 x 8 in.

STCE 5077; Pforzheimer 177; Langland to Wither 43; ESTC S107208.

From the Ken Rapoport Collection.