The Floure and the Leafe; and the Boke of Cupide, God of Love, or the Cuckow and the Nightingale

London/Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896. Limited First Edition. hardcover. Near Fine. 9 7/16" × 6 7/16" × 5/16". The Floure and the Leafe; and the Boke of Cupide, God of Love, or the Cuckow and the Nightingale; by Clanvowe, Sir Thomas. Edited by Frederick Startridge Ellis. London/Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press. Printed by and sold by William Morris. 1896. Limited First Edition. First Printing. Medium 4to: 9 7/16" x 6 7/16" x 5/16" (24 x 16.4 x .8 cm). Bound in publisher's original hardcover quarter Holland-backed blue paper boards, with white linen spine and black titles to cover. One of 300 [at ten shillings] paper copies (plus 10 [at two guineas] on vellum). Printed on fine, hand-made, Batchelor (with the Apple watermark) paper. Uncut, deckled edges. Colophon and the smaller, rectangular printer's device designed by Morris (no. 1). [viii, blank], [ii], 47, [iii, blank] pp. Printed in black and red throughout in the Troy type, with the “Note" and "Colophon" in the Chaucer type, both types designed by Morris for his press. The two stories opening with title printed in red and 15-line elaborate foliate woodblock initial words designed by Morris for his WORKS OF CHAUCER and engraved by William Harcourt Hooper. Dated Aug. 21, issued Nov. 2, 1896, the first copy received at Kelmscott House an hour or two before Morris's death. Issued in November 1896.A very handsome printing of this Middle English allegorical poem, written in a woman's voice, which was for many years attributed to Chaucer (now attributed to Sir Thomas Clanvowe). [Peterson A43. Sparling 43.] Externally near-fine condition, with slight wear to spine. Internally fine. No ownership marks, and free from the usual spotting and foxing. Condition overall: Near Fine.