Irving Washington

1832 · rif. 25081 — London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley 1832. 2 volumes. First Edition the UK issue the true first issue printed prior to the American issue according to BAL. 8vo in fine and beautiful contemporary bindings of full red crushed morocco the boards decorated with a bright and thick gilt frame of stylized morning-glories and additional gilt ruling the spines with elaborate gilt floral compartments between gilt tooled bands two compartments gilt lettered additional gilt lettering at the foot board edges gilt tooled as are the turn-ins a.e.g. viii 312; 295. A very fine set richly bound. Internally near pristine and perfect the bindings extremely well preserved all solid and sturdy. THE TRUE FIRST EDITION AND A FINE SET IN VERY HANDSOME BINDINGS. RARE IN RED MOROCCO BINDINGS. While serving as a diplomatic attaché to Spain Irving had access to the fabulous library of Obadiah Rich and engaged in scholarly research. This detailed description of the Alhambra and account of the legends surrounding the famous monument was one of the fruits of this research. The flavor of Irving’s writing is scrumptious in a manner quite fitting to the Moorish landmark. Though an American Irving published under the Crayon pseudonym was quite the literary celebrity in Europe. He was lionized by both the English and French and for several years the intimate of such notable men of letters as Scott Byron and Moore. There are a number of his works in which the London issues not those printed in New York or Philadelphia are the true first editions. It may be that the more cultured societies of Europe at that time were quicker to recognize literary genius then the more provincial Americans of the period. Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley hardcover