THE TWO CAXTON VARIANTS WHICH PROVIDE the topic of discussion for the present
investigation are by no means recent discoveries; quite to the contrary, they have been
noted for many years in the standard books of reference. It is most strange, therefore,
that these well-known variant states have been subjected neither to critical study nor
to thorough technical analyses, especially since, as distinct from many other Caxton
variants, it is absolutely certain in each instance which is the earlier state and which
the later. This circumstance further permits the investigator to ascertain specific
details as to the workings of Caxton's printing office, with special reference to the
resetting of copy previously printed at the same press.[1] The two variant states to be discussed here are found
in: Lydgate, The Pilgrimage of the Soul, Westminster, 6 June 1483
(Duff 267) and Christine de Pisan, The Book of the Fayttes of Armes
and of Chyvalrye, [Westminster], 14 July 1489 (Duff 96). The separate states are
identified by the fact that one sheet in each book appears in two different settings of
type.
