Bidspirit auction | 1921. Irving, Washington. The Sketch

1921. Irving, Washington. The Sketch Book and The Alhambra. David McKay. Author's Revised Edition. - Two hardcover volumes by Washington Irving, published by David McKay of Philadelphia at 1022 Market Street. The set comprises The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gentn. and The Alhambra. Both volumes are identified on their respective title pages as the Author's Revised Edition and are listed as Illustrated. The books are bound in uniform dark blue publisher's cloth featuring decorative gilt-stamped borders of interlocking laurel wreaths on the front covers and spines. The spines also bear the titles, author's name, and the phrase With Illustrations in gilt. The title pages are printed in a two-color format using black and red ink. The interior endpapers are decorated with a repeating geometric floral pattern in gold and white. Each volume contains numerous black-and-white plates, including photographic landscapes of architectural sites such as the Alhambra and Stratford-upon-Avon, as well as character portraits and artistic renderings, some of which are protected by original tissue guards. A handwritten ownership inscription in dark ink on the front flyleaf of both volumes reads Bernice R. Underwood, 1921. Both volumes show signs of handling and age. The dark blue cloth bindings exhibit shelf wear, light scuffing to the front and rear boards, and minor bumping and fraying at the corners and spine ends (photos 2, 3, 15, and 16). The gilt stamping remains generally bright but shows minor rubbing. The text blocks show uniform toning and light foxing, particularly evident at the edges and on the preliminary pages (photo 6). The front flyleaf of each book contains a dated 1921 signature in ink (photos 7 and 18). Interior pages show occasional minor thumbing and soft creasing (photo 12). The binding of The Sketch Book shows a slight separation at the front hinge, though the text block remains secure (photo 18).