London: Printed by Adam Islip, 1602. Second Speght edition. Second appearance of the Thomas Speght edition of Chaucer, and the seventh edition of Chaucer's works overall. Folio (pages 327 x 212 mm) collating: [23], 376, [14] ff. Lacking the first blank A1 and the progenie of Chaucer plate. Textually complete, including the final errata leaf. Bound by Seton & Mackenzie of Edinburgh in nineteenth century half vellum over marbled boards with elaborate gilt spine. Dampstain to corner of upper board. Edges stained red. Tear through most of leaf C3, touching text but not affecting legibility. A handsome, Near Fine copy, remarkably fresh and clean throughout.

"This edition was considerably revised mainly with the aid of Francis Thynne. It is the earliest in which thorough punctuation was attempted, and in many other ways it is a distinct improvement upon Speght's first edition" of 1598 (Pforzheimer). A sumptuous collection of literature from one of England's greatest early masters. Geoffrey Chaucer is credited with setting the style of Middle English literature. He is often considered England’s first “poet laureate” – after he received a reward from Richard II for one of his poems. Although Chaucer is famous chiefly for his medieval-era masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, his works are also thought to have helped popularize English as a literary language. While famous in their own right, Chaucer's works have also influenced just about every major luminary of English literature to come after him.

Grolier 43. ESTC S107210. Pforzheimer 177. Near Fine (Item #7296)