The Sketch Book: Comprising the Author's Account of Himself, the Story of the Wife, Rip Van Winkle, the Broken Heart, A Royal Poet, the Spectre Bridegroom, the Stage Coach, London Antiques, Little Britain, Stratford-on-Avon, Traits of Indian Character, the Pride of the Village, the Angler, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, etc. etc. by Washington Irving - 1870

London: Bell and Daldy , 1870. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 9.5" by 7" . Not Stated . A later printing of Washington Irving's collection of essays and short stories, bound in a charming full straight up grain morocco Queenwood College prize binding. Originally serialised in 1819-20, this is a later printing of the incredibly popular collected essays and short stories by American author Washington Irving. In a charming full straight up morocco Queenwood College third prize binding 'Midsummer' from 1883. Awarded to Hans Stephens, with his golden bookplate to the front pastedown. Featuring Irving's popular stories of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Rip Van Winkle' among many others, and sees the appearance of the author's first use of 'Geoffrey Crayon' as pseudonym. The work was widely read both in America and Europe, helping popularise American writers internationally. With a frontispiece portrait of the author and other engravings on wood from original designs in text throughout. No half title. In a full straight up morocco prize binding, with five raised bands and new endpapers, gilt along the edges and gilt tooling to the spine and boards. Externally very smart with minor shelf wear only, minor rubbing to the spine and extremities of the boards. Hans Stephens golden bookplate to the front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Some spotting affecting the title page and first few leaves particularly, only lightly scattered throughout. With a frontispiece portrait of the author and other engravings on wood from original designs in text throughout.  Very Good Indeed