Chaucer (Geoffrey) [The workes of Geffray Chaucer newly printed, with dyvers workes whiche were

Chaucer (Geoffrey) [The workes of Geffray Chaucer newly printed, with dyvers workes whiche were never in print before], [edited by William Thynne], double column, black letter, B1r with woodcut of the Knight before castle, E6v with woodcut of the Squire, woodcut decorative initials, 'The Romau[n]t of the Rose' with separate divisional title within woodcut architectural border, lacking all 8 preliminary leaves before f.1 (B1) and final blank, title and 8 preliminary leaves supplied from the 1561 John Stowe edition (lacking A1 divisional title to 'The Caunterburie Tales'), title trimmed and laid down with tiny loss, some chips and repairs to prelims with text loss, trimmed at head, shaving headlines to prelims, just touching a few other headlines but no loss, Sig. B-U and final 3ff. very small worming within text (generally one or two holes), B1 upper corner trimmed affecting pagination, F3 with 2 small burn-holes affecting few letters, S5 paper-flaw/tear repaired with very small loss, a few other short tears or marginal defects but no text loss, final 5ff. (3Q1-5) probably supplied from another copy (light damp-stain to foot from Sig. 3L onwards stopping abruptly at 3Q1), guarded and with fore-edge trimmed, 3Q2 causing loss to some words, very occasional underlining and a few instances of early marginalia, browned at points, some foxing, the odd light stain, still a good copy generally, 18th century dark blue morocco, richly gilt, spine faded, rubbed and scuffed, g.e., [STC 5073; Pforzheimer 174], folio (292 x 190mm.), by [Nicholas Hill for] Rycharde Kele, [?1550].*** One of four variants of the undated fourth collected edition, which was published simultaneously by four London booksellers (William Bonham. Richard Kele. Thomas Petit and Robert Toye), with each variant bearing a different colophon. It is the last edition of Thynne's highly regarded version of The Workes. Thynne held a number of offices at the Court of Henry VIII, including chief clerk of the kitchen, who was in charge of all royal banquets. The preliminary leaves are supplied from second issue of the 1561 John Stowe edition, without illustrations. Provenance: Wm. Herbert (ownership name to front free endpaper; engraved armorial bookplate); James McBryde of St. Helens (bookplate).