Knickerbocker's History of New York. Stuyvesant Edition (2 vols.)
New York: G.P Putnams Sons, 1894. Limited edition. Hardcover. 1/281. Quartos. Vol.1: (xvii) [1] 364pp. Vol.2: (xv) [3] 370pp. [1]. Full tan calf bindings with gilt-stamped motifs on the covers. Spines with brown labels and gilt lettering. Top edges in gilt. Pages uncut. Decorative maroon and gilt endpapers. This set is #1795 the Stuyvesant edition published in a limited edition of 281 copies, hand-numbered on the colophon from #1614-1894, in honor of the years since the founding of New Amsterdam (New York City) in 1614. Printed on linen paper. Profusely Illustrated throughout with countless entertaining b/w images, both in-text, and "proof" etchings on mounted japan tissue by E.W. Kemble. All pages are surrounded by decorative borders in gilt and light blue-green. Plates protected by captioned tissue guards.
This is a splendid and beautifully bound edition of Washington Irving's satirical work, originally published in 1809 as "A History of New York, from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, by Diedrich Knickerbocker". Knickerbocker was a pseudonym for Irving, and was one of a number of times throughout his career, that the author's work was originally published under the name of a fictional character of his own creation. The claim was that this man was Dutch-American historian.
Bindings with some light rubbing to extremities, including the head, tail and hinges of the spine. Spines and covers with some light smudges and/or scratches. Volumes with starting along the gutters of the interior front covers. Bindings quite tight overall. Bindings in good+, interiors in very good+ condition overall. Item #45934
Price: $450.00