The Sketch Book, in original wrappers - photo 1
The Sketch Book, in original wrappers - photo 2
The Sketch Book, in original wrappers - photo 3
The Sketch Book, in original wrappers - photo 4

The Sketch Book, in original wrappers

Sold
$ 56 700
Auction dateClassic
15.06.2023 10:00UTC -04:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
USA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 967535
Lot 8 | The Sketch Book, in original wrappers
The Sketch Book, in original wrappers

Washington Irving, 1819

IRVING, Washington (1783-1859). The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. New-York: Greenwich-street, 1819-1820.



The first appearances of "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The first edition, first printing, uncut in original wrappers, of the internationally best-selling Sketch Book. Few works of literature are as ingrained in the American psyche as Irving's famed "Rip Van Winkle" and "Sleepy Hollow." In these two stories adapted from German folktales, Irving made them America's own, capturing the essence of an early, growing country (and in particular the "enchanted region" of the Hudson Valley). The Sketch Book, a collection of genial essays and tales, was published in book form in England in 1820. Its success in both the U.S. and abroad brought Irving fame and recognition unequaled by any other American writer of his time.



Only two sets of the first printing of The Sketch Book in original wrappers are recorded at auction in the past fifty years. The present copy includes the original seven parts of the first edition, first printing, plus a second copy of No. 1 (the second printing) and a second copy of No. 5 (the 1820 second edition), for nine parts in total. No. 2 is with the inserted notice facing title page and the 3rd state of the wrappers (with printed price 62 1/2 cents) and No. 3 has the 2nd state of the wrappers (printed price of 75 cents). The Sketch Book in original wrappers is a legendary rarity and an icon of American culture. BAL 10106; Langfeld & Blackburn, pp. 15-23.



Nine parts total, octavo (220 x 143mm). Uncut in original wrappers (some wear to wrappers, particularly at spines, a few of which are just about perished leaving a few covers and gatherings loose; some soiling, spotting, and short tears; nonetheless overall intact and very good); modern chemise and half morocco box. Provenance: Duncan Pearsall Campbell (ownership inscription to no.1, occasional pencil notes to text) – Jacob Chester Chamberlain (bookplate loosely inserted in second copy of no.1) – John Montgomery, Esq. (ownership inscription to no. 4) – Isaac Hobbs (ownership inscription to no.4) – John Hooker, Esq. (ownership inscription to no.6) – Asa Alford Tufts (ownership inscription to no. 7, dated 31 Oct 1820).

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15.06.2023
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