The Ingoldsby Legends, 3 Volumes, 1847, Signed Bindings by G.P. Putnam

Binding Details:  Fine contemporary bindings signed in the first volume by G.P. Putnam of the Knickerbocker Press Bindery of chocolate brown half morocco ruled in gilt over marbled boards, spines in gilt-ruled compartments with gilt lettering, top edges gilt, others untrimmed, marbled endpapers, and built- in silk bookmark.

Book Details:  The Ingoldsby Legends are a collection of myths, legends, ghost stories and poetry supposedly written by Thomas Ingoldsby of Tappington Manor, actually a pen-name of Richard Harris Barham. The legends were first printed in 1837 as a regular series in Bentley's Miscellany and later in New Monthly Magazine. The legends were illustrated by John Leech and George Cruikshank. They proved immensely popular and were compiled into books published in 1840, 1842 and 1847 by Richard Bentley. They remained popular through the Victorian era but have since fallen out of fame. As a priest at the Chapel Royal, Barham was not troubled with strenuous duties and he had ample time to read and compose stories. Although based on real legends and mythology, such as the hand of glory, they are usually deliberately humorous parodies or pastiches of medieval folklore and poetry. The best known poem is the Jackdaw of Rheims about a jackdaw who steals a cardinal's ring and is made a saint.

Each book measures 8” x 5.5” and contains an author’s preface as well as wonderful illustrations by George Cruikshank and John Leach. All illustrations are protected by tissue guards. Volume 1 - Fourth edition, Volume 2 – Third Edition, Volume 3 – Second Edition.

Condition Report:  The bindings are in FINE condition with no notable flaws. Internally there is occasional foxing to the margins but on the whole mostly clean. There is a neat ink ownership inscription dated 1905 to a preliminary blank page in each volume.

Several photographs of the books as well as illustrations from the books appear in the photo section of the listing.