A 500-year-old first edition of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" is expected to fetch up to 700,000 pounds ($1.1 million) at an auction in London tomorrow, auctioneers Christie's said yesterday.
One of the earliest books to be printed in England, the first edition of the medieval tale of a group of pilgrims was printed by England's earliest typographer, William Caxton, and is one of only 12 to survive today.
The book for sale in the auction was printed by Caxton in late 1476 or early 1477 and has been in the hands of the same aristocratic English family since 1776.
"This is the last remaining copy in private hands, and this sale provides a final opportunity to acquire the first important book printed in England," said Felix de Marez Oyens, head of Christie's book department.
"This first edition of 'The Canterbury Tales' — the greatest work of Middle English literature — is also perhaps the finest copy still in existence," he added.
The book was bought for six pounds in 1776 for the Fitzwilliam family. It was rebound in the 18th century and is in excellent condition.
The sale also includes other rare early English books, most notably the "Recuyell of Historyes of Troye" — the earliest book printed in English, which was also printed by Caxton in about 1474.
That book is less valuable than the Canterbury Tales because the text is not so highly prized by collectors. It is expected to fetch about 400,000 pounds.
