[Irving, Washington- Original Boards] Bracebridge Hall, or The Humourists. A Medley

New York: C. S. Winkle, 1822. First edition. First edition. Two volumes. 8vo. (xi), 10-348, (2) pp.; 351, (1) pp. Original boards, with both original printed labels in tact on spine, containing the important M & S Thomas imprint: the original publication date was May 21, 1822,with the name C.S. Van Winkle on the title page, but original bindings bear the inscription "Published by M&S Thomas, Philadelphia" on the spine, as our does. This, arguably Irving's most notable book, was written in 1821, while he lived in England. This episodic novel was originally published under his pseudonym Geoffrey Crayon, and appears on the title-page of both volumes. Top edges trimmed, other edges untrimmed; ownership signature on first free leaf in first volume. Covers lightly spotted and rubbed, corners bumped, spines darkened and starting to split on first volume, joints on each volume worn, rear joint of second volume starting; scattered spotting to text, several leaves moderately foxed, long closed tear at pp. 225-228 in second volume, moderate losses at bottom corners of pp. 281-286 in same; bookplate on front paste-down of each volume. Still, a nice well-preserved and unsophisticated example of the earliest form imaginable of this classic in print. (Inventory #: 4941)