The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. [WITH] Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent

New-York: C.S. Van Winkle, 1819. Very Good. New-York: C.S. Van Winkle, 1819-20. First Edition, Mixed Printings (see below). Seven parts in two volumes (bound without original wrappers, otherwise complete); octavos (21cm.); contemporary calf over marbled paper-covered boards, black gilt spine labels. Margins a bit scuffed, foxing to textblocks as well as some soil and damp spotting to textblock of Vol. II, near-contemporary ex libris to both front pastedowns of American philanthropist Augustus Russell Street (1792-1866), else Very Good.

Attractive set of Irving's pseudonymously-published series of comic, spooky, and Christmas sketches most famously including the short stories "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Perhaps Sabin said it best: "It has been repeatedly reprinted, and will doubtless maintain its position as a classic in every age and nation."

Printing sequence as follows per BAL: Part I mixed printing; Parts II and IV first printings; Part III BAL state B (no priority); Parts V-VII second printings. Bound in rear of Vol. II is a first edition of "Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent." (New York: William H. Clayton, 1824).

BAL 10106 & 10112; SABIN 35197.