Books

Folio, [iii], 626, 81 and errata page. 38.7 x 24.5 cm. Two copper engraved portrait frontispieces, engraved title page vignette and 27 engraved black and white text illustrations. The first Urry edition which he began in 1711 somewhat reluctantly, at the behest of the dean of Christ Church. He died in 1715, with the project being transferred to Thomas Ainsworth, who died in 1719, and finally to Timothy Thomas, who completed it and provided the first glossary of Chaucer appended to this edition. Lowndes says only 1000 copies of this regular issue were printed (there as a large paper issue of 250 copies issued simultaneously). Includes first appearance of three previously unpublished Canterbury "Tales": The Pardoner, The Merchant's Second Tale, and the Coke's Tale of Gamelyn, Text printed in double columns. Interior contents including the chapter illustrations bright and fresh. Raised bands, spine panels with gilt arabesques, leather spine label printed in gilt, gilt cover bored panels. Slight rubbing to backstrip extremities. Contemporary full brown calf. Very good.