[BINDINGS]. IRVING, Washington (1783-1859). Old Christmas [and] Bracebridge Hall. London: Macmillan & Co., 1876-77.
2 separate works in 2 volumes, 8vo (183 x 121 mm). Half-titles, numerous full-page illustrations and vignettes in the text by Randolph Caldecott. Both uniformly bound in full crushed red levant gilt extra, upper cover with leafy green morocco inlays, cornerpieces gilt with sprays of holly with berries of green morocco inlays, central bouquets of mistletoe on upper covers gilt with berries of yellow morocco inlays, lower covers with a central ring-shaped design of green morocco inlay, containing a four pointed star morocco inlay with small circle inlays at points, leafy design surrounding, spines in 6 compartments with raised bands, gilt-lettering in two, others with gilt berry cornerpieces, alternating morocco inlay frames of chocolate and citron, edges gilt, gilt turn-ins, GILT STAMP–SIGNED BY RIVIERE (some minor rubbing to front joint of “Bracebridge” volume, “Old Christmas” very discreetly rebacked retaining original spine and endpapers, else fine); original cloth bound in at end; folding cloth chemises and morocco-backed slipcases. Provenance: Edward S. Budd Jr. (ownership notations on ffep dated 1939).
BOTH FIRST CALDECOTT EDITIONS, originally published serially from 1819 to 1820 in Irving’s “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.” A beautiful set of Irving’s Christmas Books.