The Ingoldsby Legends, or, Mirth and Marvels.

INGOLDSBY, Thomas [Pseudonym of BARHAM, Richard Harris (1788-1845)].

London: Richard Bentley, 1842-1847. [Strange Tales and Humour] FIRST AND EARLY EDITIONS, volume I a third edition, volumes II and III first editions. Complete in three volumes. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.xii; 339 [1]; pp.x; 288; pp.viii; 364. With a total of 18 engraved plates, including a frontispiece to volume III. Also with decorated title pages. In a contemporary uniform binding of tan half calf with raised bands, gilt titles to contrasting red and green labels, further gilt decoration, and marbled paper over boards. All edges and endpapers marbled. Plates quite heavily spotted. Light pencil ownership to half-title of volume I. No half-title to third series. Heavy rubbing and bumping to bindings; upper joint of volume I split, with the hinge holding firm. Upper joint of volume III starting. Good. First appearing in the Bentley's Miscellany magazine and New Monthly magazine, the first collected series of these classic humorous tales was published as a book in 1840. The second series was published in 1842, and a third series appeared in 1847. In this set the first volume is a third edition from 1846, and volumes II and III are first editions. Item #53802

Price: £275.00