The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. by Washington Irving (Van Tassel Edition)
The Gilded Van Tassel Sketch-Book: Rackham Spins Golden Visions of Irving’s Tales
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. is a collection of 34 essays and short stories written by acclaimed American author Washington Irving under his frequent pseudonym, Geoffrey Crayon. First published serially in 1819-1820, the anthology includes two of Irving’s most enduring and influential tales: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle.”
In “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Irving relates the ghostly legend of the Headless Horseman who terrorizes the hapless Ichabod Crane. It endures as one of the earliest examples of American weird fiction. “Rip Van Winkle” tells the enchanting tale of a villager who sleeps for 20 years after imbibing from a magical keg and wakes to find his hometown utterly transformed. Alongside humorous chronicles of England like “Little Britain” and ruminations on topics like book-making, these two stories rocketed both The Sketch Book and Irving himself to widespread acclaim at home and abroad. They remain integral to American literature’s foundation and national identity.
Through the guise of his fictional Dutch historian Geoffrey Crayon, Irving crafted stories blending elements of Germanic folklore, satire, nature, and nostalgia into an innovative form resonant with critics and public imagination. The Sketch Book’s impact on perceptions of American writing was unprecedented, paving the way for subsequent authors while cementing Irving as the nation’s first international literary phenomenon.
Formats:
- White cloth with elaborate gold stamping and light blue accents (2 volumes)
- Dark blue cloth with same gold stamping and white medallion cover title (variant binding). Decorative red and green leaf and floral design borders on every page throughout the text.
Size: 6 x 8 3⁄4 inches
Text: The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. by Washington Irving
Illustrations: 4 black and white drawings by Arthur Rackham
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons (New York and London)
Publication Date: 1895
Summary: With four fantastical drawings by Arthur Rackham, this elegant 1895 Van Tassel Edition of Irving’s renowned The Sketch-Book glimmers with Golden Age grandeur. Housed in a two-volume set, buyers could choose between a white decorated cover with light blue accents or a navy binding with central white title medallion. Both featuring ornately-gilded frames with Irving’s beloved Dutch-inspired designs, these striking editions stand out through intricate composition and Rackham’s stirring interpretations of classic scenes like Ichabod Crane’s fearful flight.
Complementing Irving’s painterly writings with his own imaginative flair, Rackham cements his flair for embedding worlds of magic, legend, and adventure into storied literary landscapes. For Irving aficionados, the Van Tassel Edition shines as a pinnacle decorative showcase of two creative luminaries at the height of their evocative powers.
