THE WORKS OF WASHINGTON IRVING

New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1897. 40 volumes. The "Holly Edition", and one of only 1000 sets. Portraits and other illustrations throughout set, with title tissue guards. 8vo, in handsome original three-quarter green morocco over marbled boards the spines featuring a holly motif decoration along a long panel in gilt with red morocco inlay berries, a single tall gilt ruled and stippled raised band separates this from a second compartment with lettering in gilt, gilt rule and additional letterin, along with more holly, near the foot, t.e.g., gilt letter "L" in the upper left-hand corner of the upper boards. A very good and handsome set, the spines evenly mellowed to an attractive brown with the gilt and red inlays still vivid and bright. A beautiful set, especially well preserved. AN ESPECIALLY HANDSOME PRINTING OF THE GREAT AMERICAN WRITER, ESSAYIST, BIOGRAPHER, HISTORIAN, AND DIPLOMAT. Irving was one of the first uniquly American authors, and one of the first to earn acclaim in Europe.
Irving is perhaps best remembered for his short stories "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", both of which appeared in his collection 'The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.' His historical works include biographies of Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad and George Washington, as well as several histories of 15th-century Spain that deal with subjects such as Alhambra, Christopher Columbus and the Moors.