The Works of Washington Irving (Knickerbocker Edition, Complete in 24 Volumes)

With an Original Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) by Washington Irving Tipped In volume one.

IRVING, Washington. The Works of Washington Irving. New York: G. P. Putnam and Son, 1869. Knickerbocker Edition. Complete in 24 volumes. Octavo (7.5" x 5.5"). Illustrated with engraved frontispieces, title vignettes, and tissue-guarded plates throughout.

Contemporary three-quarter deep green morocco over matching forest-green cloth boards with gilt corner rules.

Spines with Raised bands bordered by fine gilt rules; compartments richly tooled in gilt featuring central foliate flourishes; direct-gilt author, title, and volume lettering. One volume with a stain to rear cover.

A tight, square, and attractive set in exceptionally well-preserved condition, with bright spine gilt, sound hinges, and clean interiors. Internally bright and clean, without marks and little to no foxing.

Autograph Letter Signed (ALS)

Tipped into the front preliminary leaves of Volume I (Life of George Washington) is an original one-page Autograph Letter Signed by Washington Irving:

Dateline: Sunnyside, June 9th, 1858

Recipient: Arthur de Zeltner, Esq.

Transcript:

"My dear Sir, / [regretting not] having sooner sent you the autograph which you have done me the honor repeatedly to solicit. I have been so much tasked of late in preparing a volume for the press that I have had to spare myself all extra exercises of the pen; otherwise you should not have had to ask twice for so trivial a matter. / Yours my dear Sir / very respectfully / Washington Irving"

Significance: Written from Irving’s beloved estate Sunnyside just over a year before his death, referencing the demanding labor of completing his crowning biographical masterpiece, The Life of George Washington.

Contents (24 Volumes Complete)

Life of George Washington (5 vols.)

Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (3 vols.)

Mahomet and His Successors (2 vols.)

The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1 vol.)

Knickerbocker's History of New York (1 vol.)

The Alhambra (1 vol.)

Bracebridge Hall (1 vol.)

Tales of a Traveller (1 vol.)

Astoria (1 vol.)

The Adventures of Captain Bonneville (1 vol.)

Oliver Goldsmith: A Biography (1 vol.)

Salmagundi (1 vol.)

Wolfert’s Roost (1 vol.)

Spanish Papers (1 vol.)

Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada (1 vol.)

Crayon Miscellany & Miscellanies (2 vols.)