Franklin Library The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, Limited Edition, 1981. In contemporary verse by J.U. Nicolson, with woodcuts by William Caxton, dating to the late 1400's. Rich green leatherette hardcover with 22k gold lettering and stampings on the spine and cover. Hubbed spine. All edges gold gilt, 618 pp. Approx. 9.25" x 5.50" x 1.75." 

Fine, internally clean and tight, clean page ends and boards. No attached bookplates. Appears unread. Please examine all of the pictures closely as they are considered part of the description. A beautiful volume for any collector's library. 

 

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of twenty-four stories that runs to over 17,000 lines written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387 and 1400. It is widely regarded as Chaucer's magnum opus. The tales (mostly written in verse, although some are in prose) are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The prize for this contest is a free meal at the Tabard Inn at Southwark on their return.

The Canterbury Tales is revered as one of the most important works in English literature.