OLD CHRISTMAS: From the Sketch Book and BRACEBRIDGE HALL

The First Caldicott Edition. Beautifully illustrated with dozens of engraved images by Randolph Caldecott either on plates or within the text arranged and engraved by J. D. Cooper. Tall 8vo, handsomely bound in the publisher's original polished navy- blue cloth, the upper cover with double gilt fillet rules at the borders, lower cover with the rules in blind, the spine lettered in gilt. xiv, 165 pp. A very handsome, beautifully preserved copy, bright and clean and attractive, the text-block and illustrations all in fine condition.

Edizione: a very handsome production of irving?s holiday memories illustrated by one of the most respected illustrator?s of his day. randolph caldecott was acknowledged as a major influence and inspiration by many of the 20th centuries greats, such as potter, shepard and greenaway. his reputation is such that the american library associations annual award for outstanding children?s book illustrations is named the caldecott in his honor.<br> washington irving wrote this tale, and the other stories in the sketch book under the pseudonym of geoffrey grayon. narrated in the first person, it was a series of stories that relate to the author?s travels in england. it was also his most successful work. this tale is replete with old english holiday traditions, many of which were already fading into memory during the time of irving?s visit. in the author?s opening words, ?there is nothing in england that exercises a more delightful spell over my imagination than the lingerings of the holiday customs and rural games of former times.? irving does a fine job of describing these joyous occasions, and thus helped to preserve them for the generations to come.