Kelmscott Press--Chaucer, Geoffrey

folio, 'b' gathering only IN AN EARLIER SETTING OF TEXT, wood-engraved illustrations after Edward Burne-Jones, ornamental woodcut borders and initials, printed in red and black, unbound sheets comprising 16 pages, some light soiling and spotting

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The first page reveals a more compact setting of text than that eventually published. On page 1, the first column presents seven verse lines (set as seven lines of type). Contrast this with the published setting which has six verse lines (set as six lines of type). The page finishes with the line "The chambres and the stables weren wyde" (contrast with "That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde" in the published version).

Peterson refers to a 'Specimen' printing of the first leaf only with this different setting of type (see Peterson D1.7). This entire gathering, however, appears to be entirely unrecorded. Item (qq) in Peterson's listing of related materials appears to be a copy of D1.7 with the note "The cancelled first page of the Chaucer. Very rare."