UBC proud owner of $202,000 rare book

Gregory Mackie, a UBC English professor, was interviewed for CBC’s As It Happens about the university’s acquisition of the Kelmscott Chaucer book.

The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer was printed in 1896 and was purchased for $202,000 in U.S. dollars.

“It is one of the most famous books in the world,” Mackie said. “It’s been called ‘the most beautiful of all books. It is pretty much the preeminent masterpiece of 19th century book design in fine press printing.”

The segment starts at 16:50.

Similar stories appeared in the Vancouver Sun and The Province.