THE INGOLDSBY LEGENDS or, Mirth and Marvels
London; 1840-42 & 47: Richard Bentley and Son. First Edition. Full-Leather. 8vo. Item #2150
FIRST EDITION, first issue; the First, Second and Third Series, in three volumes, each with half-title and engraved title pages, humorously illustrated by George Cruikshank and John Leach and with a 2 portraits of the author, with the excessively rare blank page at 236 of the first series and the slip of explanation. All beautifully bound by Riviere in full green crushed morocco, board edges ruled and stamped with a repeated tiny flower pattern within gilt rules; raised bands with title and compartments gilt; lavish inner gilt dentelles, burgundy coated endpapers; top edges gilt, all others uncut. with original covers bound in at the rear; spines have uniformly changed to a lovely brown. A very handsome and fine set of this collection of myths, legends, ghost stories and poetry supposedly by Thomas Ingoldsby of Tappington manor, actually a pen-name of Richard Harris Barham.The best known poem is the Jackdaw of Rheims about a Jackdaw who steals a cardinal's ring and is then made a saint. A fine, beautiful set.
Price: $1,750.00