Irving, Washington

The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. [TWO VOLUMES]

New York / London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1895. Thirty-six black and white illustrations by Arthur Rackham, Julian Rix, F. O. C. Darley, Jospeh Jefferson, Allan Barraud, and F. S. Church. Van Tassel edition. Publisher's full white cloth, decoratively stamped in gilt and teal, teg, in publisher's maroon cloth dust jackets. Octavo. xix, [i], 294; vi, [ii], 315. 8.75" x 6.5" Lightly toned top edges, spots of gentle rubbing to teal decorations, contemporary owner name and date to front flies, gentle browning to tissues guards and pages opposite, v. 2 short closed tear to ffep and stripe of moderate toning to p. 107, still near fine, in near fine dust jackets with gently frayed edges, v. 1 shallow crack to spine panel verso. Item #239030

BEAUTIFUL AS ICABOD'S LOVE

Originally published between 1819 and 1820, The Sketch Book established Washington Irving's international writing career and legitimized American authorship to British readers. Writing under his pseudonym Geoffrey Crayon for the first time, Irving drew on his experience of living in England as he worked to save his family business from bankruptcy. He failed to save the business. However, his pastoral English scenes contrasted with a few intensely American stories, "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," drew awe from both sides of the pond.

This Van Tassel edition, named after Katrina Van Tassel, Ichabod Crane's love, features illustrations by Arthur Rackham and other artists and beautifully decorated pages. Its text is that of the 1848 author's revised edition, including all thirty-four short stories and essays that would eventually be released in both Britain and the United States. Its publisher's white cloth and decorative stamping is still bright, as beautiful as Van Tassel herself.

[Kleinfield 82].

Price: $425.00