The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer. To which are added, An essay upon his Language and Versification; an Introductory Discourse; and Notes. Vol. I

First of 5 volumes in 8vo. pp. [6] (blank), ff. [3], pp. xxxvi, 310, ff. [2] (blank). Calf. Gilt tooled spine. Marbled endpapers. Plate of Henry Latham, M.A. Some marginalia. The title page of vol. 1 says: "In four volumes." Engraved portrait facing title page, signed "Vertue Sc." Engraved plate of portraits signed "Engraved by Tho. Holloway" with caption "Published as the Act directs by J. Rivinton & partners, 1 June 1789." Part (vols.1-4) printed by William Bowyer and John Nichols; their records show 750 copies printed. Vol. 5 printed by Nichols alone, after Bowyer’s death.

Edmond Malone’s copy, with his manuscript notes at I, p. vi, ix, and xxvi. Bound into this volume (by Malone) are a fragment of a note from Tyrwhitt to Malone, Malone’s affectionate character of Tyrwhitt (written the day after Tyrwhitt’s death), two portraits, and a clipped signature of Tyrwhitt. Later ownership inscription of James Boaden (1818), who corrected the errata throughout, and bookplates of Henry Latham. In volume IV, p. 87 (1775) Tyrwhitt takes ‘Rowley’ at face value, as a poet of the reigns of Henry VI and Edward IV who ‘wrote [...] with an uncommon harmony of numbers.’ Malone comments that ‘Mr Tyrwhitt was afterwards convinced that the poems published by Thomas Chatterton under the name of Rowley were forgeries.’ See also ESTC, T76319.

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