Folio Society Limited Edition - TROILUS & CRISEYDE by Geoffrey Chaucer
A masterly facsimile of the acclaimed Golden Cockerel Press edition of Chaucer’s masterpiece, this beautiful work unites the talents of typographer Robert Gibbings and artist-engraver Eric Gill. Designed to capture the beauty and grace of the great medieval psalters and books of hours this masterpiece embraces traditional styles to create a truly modern and unique work of art. This Folio Society limited edition has been produced to exacting standards, from the choice of materials to the traditional craftsmanship of binding the books.
In the 1920s the Golden Cockerel Press produced three works which are considered amongst the finest achievements of the private press movement. They represented a union between text and illustration that has remained a gold standard for designers ever since. Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde is the earliest of these masterpieces.
This was the work that marked the start of a fertile creative collaboration between Gill and Gibbings. Although Gill had worked on books for Gibbings before, this was the first project to fire his enthusiasm and inspire his finest work. Gill greatly admired medieval manuscripts and he wanted to create a modern response to the books of hours and psalters which so delighted him. He developed borders to frame each page with marginal illustrations, and initial letters often printed in red and blue – a very pared-down, but conscious allusion to illuminated manuscripts. For Troilus and Criseyde Gill also created full-page illustrations with which to begin each of the five books of the poem. It reveals the moment at which Gill’s ideas were developing from more traditional illustration to a very different kind of page design, and unites the beauty of both forms.
Eric Gill is a controversial but brilliant figure. One of the finest artists of the 20th century, he developed an elegant, spare style which is instantly recognisable throughout his work – from the sculpted figures of Prospero and Ariel on Broadcasting House in London, to his lettering and typefaces, or his superb engraved illustrations. In his work for the Golden Cockerel Press, Gill was able to display his artistic versatility, marrying the medieval illuminated manuscript tradition with the modernist aesthetic. Just like Chaucer’s poem, the illustrations are by turns playful and tender, erotic and tragic.
Gill depicts the two lovers at the crucial moments of their relationship: when Troilus first sees Criseyde; Pandarus bringing her to see Troilus; the night Criseyde finally accepts his love; their parting at the gates of the city when Criseyde is forced to leave; and the death of Troilus, killed by Achilles. The borders and marginal illustrations show Chaucer himself writing the book, the God of Love, and birds, trees and flowers – appropriate images for a poem that both promotes and provides a critique of courtly love.
Troilus and Criseyde is a consummate work of art in both its themes and construction. It is divided into five parts, with the lovers’ union taking place exactly halfway through the poem. Its 1,177 stanzas are of seven lines each, rhyming ababbcc – a form known as rhyme royal, which Chaucer introduced from French. This pattern proves an extremely flexible, fluent tool which in Chaucer’s hands can present narrative, comedy, high-flown tragedy, philosophical enquiry, and dialogue.
This Folio Society limited edition has been produced to exacting standards, from the choice of materials to the traditional craftsmanship of binding the books. The original 1927 cover was an unexciting quarter-binding with patterned paper sides, so the Folio Society commissioned Neil Gower to create a new design derived from one of Eric Gill’s full-page illustrations. The image and titling are blocked in 22-carat gold on full leather.
The poem is accompanied by a commentary volume containing essays by Roderick Cave on the history of the Golden Cockerel Press, and Professor Barry Windeatt on the sources, structure and interpretation of Troilus & Criseyde.
Production Details:-
· Limited to 1,250 numbered copies
· Printed on Rigoletto Panna felt-marked paper
· 5 full-page illustrations
· Elaborate title page and decorative borders throughout
· Bound in leather
· Blocked in 24-carat gold with a design by Neil Gower from Gill’s original engraving
· Gilded on all three page edges
· Satin ribbon marker
· 328 pages
· Book size: 12 ½" x 7 ¾"
Commentary
· Essays by Roderick Cave and Professor Barry Windeatt quarterbound in buckram with Merida paper sides
Presention box
· Bound in buckram with gold blocking on the spine
CONDITION: Book is NEW and comes with its original packaging as issued from Folio Society when purchased (see photo 9). It has only been opened to check for printing imperfections or damage incurred by courier service. Please note the very faint, tiny hairline scratch to the gilt on the top page edge which is too slight to show up clearly in the photo (see photo 4).
Due to the heavy weight of the book (approx 4.5 kilos when packed), postage will be via Parcelforce Worldwide express48 (tracked and insured) courier service at a cost of £9.50
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