first edition
1855 · New York
by Irving, Washington
New York: G. P. Putnam & Co., 1855. First Edition. possible third printing Very good in the publisher's original blind stamped, green cloth covered boards with faded gilt text stamping on the spine and a gilt stamped sketch on the front board and with light yellow end sheets. The back strip has a 1" long closed tear to the cloth in a horizontal direction which has been professionally repaired. There is considerable wear and rubbing to the cloth at the head and heel of the spine with the cloth worn through at the head of the spine. There is a early prior owner's book plate on the front paste down and the rear hinge is cracked and separated. The rear hinge has been professionally repaired. 383 pages of text followed by 12 pages of ads from the publisher. Illustrated with a double frontispiece. A collection of 32 short stories or articles all of which previously appeared in periodicals or books. (Langeld/Blackburn, p. 44; BAL 10188) While the publisher's ads at the rear of the text are dated "Feb'y ., 1855" this may be a third printing as the publisher's address reads "10 Park Place" while the first and second printings show an address of "12 Park Place". It was in the short story, "The Creole Village" that Irving again coined a new phrase for the American public. It was the first use of the term "the almighty dollar". (Brain Jay Jones: Washington Irving An American Original) (Inventory #: TB22723)