The Ingoldsby Legends: Or, Mirth & Marvels by Thomas Ingoldsby, Esquire First Series; Second Series; Third Series.

BARHAM, Richard Harris.

$2,250.00

Item Number: 119907

London: Richard Bentley, 1840.

First edition, first issue of this classic work. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in full morocco by Tout with elaborate tooling in gilt, covers repeat the floral and pointillle tooling at corners, surrounded by a single gilt fillet, dentelles feature floral garlands extending from each corner, surrounded by inner and outer gilt fillets, top edges gilt, original cloth covers and spines bound in at rear, 17 etched plates by George Cruikshank and John Leech; 3 Etched Title Pages; 2 Engraved Portraits. In fine condition. An exceptional example.

The Ingoldsby Legends were first printed during 1837 as a regular series in the magazine Bentley's Miscellany and later in New Monthly Magazine.They proved immensely popular and were compiled into books published in 1840, 1842 and 1847 by Richard Bentley. They remained popular during the 19th century, when they ran through many editions illustrated by artists including John Leech, George Cruikshank, John Tenniel, and Arthur Rackham.