FRINK, Elisabeth. ~ Etchings illustrating Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales.'
19 original etchings with aquatints in black by Elisabeth Frink, printed on J. Barcham Green paper. One of the specially bound édition de tête limited to 50 copies numbered A1-A50 (of a total edition of 300 issued in three different types of edition), signed and numbered by the artist (this A17). Introduction and Translation by Nevill Coghill. Very large folio. (648 x 928 mm). Pp.189, publisher's extravagant full green English hide binding, vellum inlay on the front cover with a design by Frink, in the original cloth slipcase, some white marking to the lower cover, otherwise a very good fresh and crisp copy.
Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) is widely recognised as the greatest British sculptor of her generation and established as a printmaker of major importance. Her Canterbury Tales is a monumental book with superb full-page etchings by Elisabeth Frink depicting the figures, animals and birds that characterise her work. The 310 gram watermarked paper used was specially made by J Barcham Green of pure cotton, the etchings were printed by Cliff White at White Ink Ltd., London. Frink's 19 etchings illustrate The Prologue, The Knight's Tale, The Miller's Tale I, The Miller's Tale II, The Reeve's Tale, The Shipman's Tale, The Prioress's Tale, Chaucer's Tale of Sir Topaz, The Nun's Priest's Tale, The Physician's Tale, The Pardoner's Tale, The Wife of Bath's Tale, The Summoner's Tale, The Clerk's Tale, The Merchant's Tale, The Squire's Tale, The Franklin's Tale, The Second Nun's Tale and The Manciple's Tale.