Rare 1896 Chaucer book with 87 woodcuts sold for Rs 2.68 crore

A book printed more than 130 years ago has drawn attention for its remarkable craftsmanship and rarity. 'The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer', an illustrated edition produced by British designer and printer William Morris in 1896, reportedly sold for Rs 2.68 crore in October 2026. Known as the Kelmscott Chaucer, the volume is celebrated for combining mediaeval literature with intricate printing, elaborate illustrations and an extraordinary binding.What makes this copy particularly special is that it retains its original white pigskin binding, designed by Morris, along with its original chemise and clamshell storage box made by the Doves Bindery. According to the Christie's catalogue, approximately 50 copies of the book were commissioned in this deluxe binding, making it considerably rarer than the standard edition.The 1896 masterpiece that took years to createThe Kelmscott Chaucer was one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by Morris at his Kelmscott Press in Hammersmith, London.