A history of New-York from the beginning of the world to the end of the Dutch dynasty; containing, among many surprising and curious matters, the unutterable ponderings of Walter the Doubter, the disastrous projects of William the Testy, and the chivalric achievements of Peter the Headstrong — the three Dutch governors of New Amsterdam; being the only authentic history of times that ever hath been or ever will be published. by Irving, Washington - 1886

New York: Printed for the Grolier Club, 1886. 8vo (23.5 cm; 9.125"). 2 vols. I: Frontis., [4 (of 6)] ff., 312 pp., 1 plate; lacks the two prelim. states of the frontis., the half-title, and the colophon leaves. II: [6], 275, [5] pp., [4] leaves of plates l lacks the two prelim. states of the frontis.

An early Grolier Club publication (i.e., number 4): Limited to 175 copies on Holland paper and two on vellum, with this copy on Holland. The illustrations are by George H. Boughton, Will H. Drake, and Howard Pyle; etchings by Henry C. Eno and F. Raubicheck. The text and illustrations were printed at the DeVinne Press, and => the edition contains previously unpublished authorial corrections.
    The title-page is in black and red, bearing the Grolier Club emblem in brown. Similarly, the initials and head- and tailpieces are printed in brown.
    Binding: 1920s-era half brown morocco with marbled paper sides and matching marbled endpapers; round spines, raised bands accented with gilt rules and gilt beading, and a gilt center device in each spine compartment. Top edges gilt, others uncut; binding unsigned, but elegantly accomplished. Bound as above. Vol. I lacks half-title, colophon leaf, and the two states of the frontispieces before the lettering. Vol. II lacks the cancelled title-page, the two states of the frontispieces before the lettering, and the instructions to the binder. => A lesson of a set, as the lacking elements that so affect the price of this handsome duo are so not-obviously "missing": One must *know* they're supposed to be there!