"THE FATHER OF AMERICAN LITERATURE": HANDSOMELY BOUND SET OF WASHINGTON IRVING’S WORKS

IRVING, Washington. New York and Philadelphia: G.P. Putnam / J.B. Lippincott, 1854-71. Twenty-eight volumes. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter tan calf gilt, red and black morocco spine labels, marbled boards, endpapers and edges. $3500.

The “New Edition, Revised,” handsomely bound, with numerous engraved frontispieces and three folding maps.

"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). Contains all of Irving's classic histories, biographies, tales and accounts of travel, including Knickerbocker's History of New York, Life of Washington, Life of Columbus, Sketch Book, and Astoria. With Life and Letters in four volumes. The first 15 volumes were issued and bound at an earlier date than the last 13 volumes, with minor differences in the gilt tooling and marbled paper. Owner signatures.

Interiors very fresh and clean, light rubbing and wear to contemporary binding. A handsome set.