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Single sheet from The Canterbury Tales

Printed Leaf
[1477] (published)
Artist/Maker
Chaucer, Geoffrey (author)
Caxton, William (printer and publisher)
Place of origin
[Westminster] (published)

Single leaf with text from the "Man of lawes tale" (f. K5; lines 4633-4691), printed in black letter (type 2:135G); 29 lines; 20 lines = 134 mm.
Minuscules for initials (i.e. guide letters).
Leaf's inner edge guarded on paper.

Object details

Categories
National Art Library
Books
British Galleries
Medieval and Renaissance
Object type
Printed leaf
TitleSingle sheet from The Canterbury Tales
Materials and techniques
Paper
Printing
Brief description
Printed leaf, 'WHan that Apprill with his shouris sote...', final leaf from the "Man of lawes tale", from 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer, Westminster: printed by William Caxton, ca. 1477
Physical description
Single leaf with text from the "Man of lawes tale" (f. K5; lines 4633-4691), printed in black letter (type 2:135G); 29 lines; 20 lines = 134 mm.
Minuscules for initials (i.e. guide letters).
Leaf's inner edge guarded on paper.
Dimensions
  • Folio height: 24cm
Gallery label
(16/03/2018)
EARLY PRINTED PAGE
from Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, 1477

William Caxton had learnt about printing in Cologne, Germany. He imported printing to Westminster in 1476 and concentrated on printing books in English. His aim was to reproduce the appearance of hand-written books.

Printed, on paper
Printed and published in Westminster, London by William Caxton (born in Kent, possibly in 1427, died in London, 1492);this page comes from the 'Man of Lawes Tale' National Art Library no. 38041800460446
Object history
Leaf previously inserted in end pocket of E. Gordon Duff, William Caxton, Chicago: The Caxton Club, 1904 (q.v.) but now shelved separately. The leaf is taken from an imperfect copy formerly in Lord Ashburnham's library and bought by the Chicago Caxton Club for the purpose of disbinding and inclusion with Duff's publication. Accessioned in 1910.
Other number
95.E Box III - NAL Pressmark
Collection
National Art Library
Library number
L.287-1910

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Record createdAugust 25, 2017
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1410784/single-sheet-from-the-canterbury-printed-leaf-chaucer-geoffrey/
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