The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye

Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1892. Limited edition. Limited edition. One of only 300 paper copies. 3 volumes in 2. Printed in Troy and Chaucer type, chapter headings in red. Numerous woodcut border decorations and initials. Bound in publisher's limp vellum, yapped fore-edges. spines lettered in gilt, fore and bottom edges of leaves untrimmed. Near Fine with light wear and soiling to vellum, untrimmed edges browning, occasional light foxing but overall quite clean; colophon with offsetting from item previously laid in. Original ties clipped at fore-edges. Bookplates of William Harris Arnold.


A lovely Kelmscott printing of the 15th century (truncated) French courtly romance written by Raoul Lefevre, chaplain to Philip III, Duke of Burgundy. The Caxton translation was first printed by him c.1475, considered the first book printed in the English language. Beautifully decorated with woodcuts designed by William Morris. Morris wrote of it, "The book will be ornamented very richly with woodcut ornaments entirely designed by myself; no labour or expense will be spared on them and there will be much variety in them. The semi-Gothic type designed by me (with special regard to legibility) will appear in this book for the first time." The paper was handmade by James Batchelor, with watermark of a bouquet with Morris's initials. Peterson A8. (Inventory #: 140945810)