CHAUCER, Geoffrey (c.1343-1400). The Workes of Geffrey Chaucer, Newlie Printed. London: John Kyngston for John Wight, 1561.

CHAUCER, Geoffrey (c.1343-1400). The Workes of Geffrey Chaucer, Newlie Printed. London: John Kyngston for John Wight, 1561.

The first issue of the edition of Chaucer’s works likely used by Shakespeare as a source for Troilus and Cressida. The twenty-two cuts in the prologue are from the blocks used by Caxton in his second edition (1483). Chaucer—called by Caxton “the worshipful fader and first foundeur and enbelissher of ornate eloquence in our Englissh”—played an important role in the popularization of vernacular English as a language of literature and stands beside Shakespeare as one of that language’s greatest authors. This copy contains copious early marginalia, including copied lines from Puttenham’s The Arte of English Poesie. Pforzheimer, 176; STC (2nd ed.), 5075.

Folio (330 x 218mm). 3 woodcut title borders, woodcut illustrations, woodcut initials and ornaments (title page laid down, final two leaves repaired at inner margin, a few small marginal repairs, some dampstaining, occasional staining). Modern calf with contemporary cover panels laid down (original flyleaves laid in). Provenance: Daniel Dun (early signature on title) – Thomas Newton (signature dated 24 April 1576) – Richard Heigham (signature dated 1625) – John William Pease (bookplates) – Lucy Anne Pease (bookplate) – Howard Pease (bookplate) – Pease family (bookpate).