Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American author, historian, and diplomat. Best known for his short stories, such as "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Irving was an influential literary voice during the formative years of the United States of America. He is considered among the first American fiction writers to achieve a significant degree of fame and success in Europe.
Washington Irving's Tales of a Traveller was originally published in 1824 under the pseudonym Geoffrey Crayon. It is a collection of short stories that showcase Irving's skill as a storyteller and his ability to blend elements of fantasy and the supernatural with a realistic setting. The stories take place in various locations throughout Europe and America, and many of them incorporate elements of folklore and legend. Despite their fantastical elements, Irving's stories often contain a moral lesson or message, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking for readers of a variety of ages. This particular edition of Tales features footnotes and additions meant to make the material more accessible for adolescent and student readers.
- Title: Tales of a Traveller
- Author: Washington Irving
- Editor: George Rice Carpenter
- Publisher: Longmans, Green, and Co.
- Place: New York
- Year: 1898
- Series: Longmans’ English Classics
- Length: 408pp; 7pp publisher’s catalogue
- Dimensions: 8vo; 5” x 7.5” x 1”
- Condition: The original grey/brown cloth-covered boards are in good condition. They have minimal wear but a medium amount of soiling. The titles and printer’s mark are printed in a dark burgundy ink on the front cover and spine, but the spine has darkened to such an extent that the spine titles are barely visible. The binding is loosening in some places. The half-title page is mostly separated from the text block, and the portrait page between it and the full title page is completely separated. No pages appear to be missing. Generally, the pages are crisp and clean—no folds, tears, or extraneous marks aside from the two separated pages. A pencil inscription sits in the front endpapers.