[Irving, Washington]

The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. No.I[-VII]. New York: C. S. Van Winkle, 1819-1820

Seven parts in one volume, 8vo (210 x 126 mm). Without the final blank in No. I, and the anti-piracy slip in No. II (as often), old washed marginalia to III: 230, marginal repairs to VI🅷:21 and VII:63, repair to VII:123 not affecting text. Contemporary blind-stamped tree calf; rebacked, covers rubbed, corners bumped.

First editions, first printings, complete in seven parts, containing the first appearances of two of Irving's classic short stories♚: "Rip Van Winkle" (Part I) and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (Part VI).

"That Americans here first read of Rip Van Winkle and Ichabod Crane is not so important in influencing the culture of the co🌸untry, as that they learned of these and other gentlemen, and of the Indians, and of old England, through the medium of a musical, rhythmical style, quiet humor, and dreamy charm, which instinctively taught taste and sweetness, 'taking pleasure and giving pleasure and always playing the companion rather than the teacher'" (Grolier). 

REFERENCE:

BAL 10106;&nbওsp;Grolier 100-31; Langfield and Blackburn 15