Dawson (Margaret Cheney) City Harvest

London, John Murray, 1820.2 vol., complete. Vol.I third UK edition; vol.II first UK edition. 8vo. Contemporary sprinkled calf, uniformly rebacked in later calf gilt to style.An important work, and edition, of this collection by Washington Irving, not least as the first edition of the second volume sees the first appearance in the UK of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. Volume I was originally published in the UK by Washington Irving himself, under John Miller's Burlington Arcade imprint, in February 1820. Miller was declared bankrupt in April 1820 so The Sketch Book was taken up by publishers John Murray, who published the completed edition in two volumes that year. The collection is also notable for featuring 'Rip Van Winkle'.The work is also considered significant as the first widely read work of American literature in Britain and Europe, helping advance the reputation of American writers with an international audience.