Laudes Beatae Mariae Virginis
London, Printed and published by William Morris at the Kelmscott Press, 1896 (first thus).
Quarto, [ii], 34 pages printed in red and black Troy type, with alternating initials in blue and black, and wood-engraved borders and printer's device.
Linen-backed blue papered boards with the title printed in black on the front cover; covers lightly tanned about the spine, with light wear to the corner tips; all edges uncut, with a few spots of light foxing to the top and bottom edges; overall, a near-fine copy.
The first of only two Kelmscott Press books to be printed in three colours; this is one of only 250 copies on paper (a further 10 copies were printed on vellum). 'These poems are taken from a Psalter written by an English scribe, most likely in one of the Midland counties, early in the 13th century' (colophon). Loosely inserted is a separately printed note in Chaucer type, distributed to subscribers after publication, concerning the authorship and other bibliographical details relating to the text. Morris writes that a certain Reverend E.S. Dewick has pointed out that these poems had previously been printed in an edition of 1579, with authorship attributed to Stephen Langton. Peterson A42.
Item #124009
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