Harriet Lee; Sophia Lee — Canterbury Tales

London, G. and J. Robinson, 1803-1805 . First edition. Leather. A scarce complete five volume set of Harriet Lee's magnum opus, the 'Canterbury Tales&apos. A mixed early edition set, including the first edition of the final volume. Present here are:The 1804 fourth edition of volume I. Lacking the half title.The 1803 third edition of volume II, with a half title.The 1804 third edition of volume III. With a half title, and final advertisement leaf.The 1803 second edition of volume IV. With a half title.The 1805 first edition of volume V. With a half title.Complete five volume sets of this work are very scarce.Harriet Lee's 'Canterbury Tales' is a fascinating collection of short stories and novellas, with a common theme of travellers thrown together by untoward accident. It was inspired by Chaucer's work of the same name.Harriet's sister, Sophia, contributed the narrative introduction to volume I, alongside two tales. The rest of the work is Harriet's alone, and established her legacy as a notable author.The series was read by Lord Byron when he was a child. The book fell into the hands of Byron when he was a boy. He wrote, regarding one of the tales, in the fourth volume, that 'when I was young (about fourteen, I think), I first read this tale, which made a deep impression upon me, and may, indeed, be said to contain the germ of much that I have since written.' In full calf bindings, with gilt detailing to back strips. Externally, smart. A touch of rubbing to back strip heads and tails, with small area of rubbing to tail of front board of volume I. Front joint of volume I, head and tail of rear joint of volume III, and head of front joint of volume V starting, with boards firmly held. Internally, firmly bound. Pages a touch age toned due to paper type, with significant spotting and instances of foxing to volumes I-III, but pages of final two volumes generally clean and bright. Significant horizontal closed tear to centre of page 135 of volume II. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .