"THE FATHER OF AMERICAN LITERATURE": LOVELY SET OF WASHINGTON IRVING'S WORKS

IRVING, Washington. Works of Washington Irving. WITH: Life of George Washington. London: George Bell & Sons; Bell & Daldy, 1868-1877. 14 volumes. Octavo, contemporary full tan calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, red and green morocco labels, marbled endpapers and edges. $2400.

Finely bound 19th-century set of Irving's works, most volumes with an engraved frontispiece.

"Before Emerson and Lowell, [Irving] married American literature to the literature of the world. He has every right to retain the title enthusiastically bestowed upon him, 'Father of American Literature'" (Kunitz & Haycraft, 407). This handsome set contains Irving's classic histories, biographies, tales and accounts of travel, including Knickerbocker's History of New York, Sketch Book, Astoria and the monumental Life of Washington—as well as "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Three volumes without an engraved frontispiece.

Volume I with small chip to front board. An attractive set in extremely good condition.