A facsimile edition faithfully reproducing the Ellesmere Facsimile of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340? - 1400), jewel in the Huntington Library crown, and never taken off the premises. No texts actually penned by Chaucer remain, and surviving copies have been scattered and lost, so this manuscript from the early 15th century, not long after Chaucer's death, is said to most accurately represent the author's intention. Kept in the library of of successive Barons Ellesmere from the early 17th to early 20th century, it is known as the Ellesmere Facsimile. The reliability of its content as a literary document has made it the source for modern revised editions, and the vivid depictions of the 23 pilgrims and stunning decorative features endow it with high artistic value as well.
The main text employs the most sophisticated printing techniques of the 20th century, thanks to HD printing. Produced using early 15th century bookbinding techniques, this facsimile edition of the Middle English classic is in oak boards, quarter-bound in brown leather, hand-sewn and bound, and
presented in a custom-made blue linen quarter-leather outer box.