INGOLDSBY, THOMAS (PSEUDONYM OF RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM. ) — The Ingoldsby Legends, Or Mirth and Marvels

London, England: RICHARD BENTLEY & SON, 1870. 2nd Edition; Later Printing. Hardcover. B&W Illustrations; This book is in Very Good- condition and is lacking a dust jacket. This is a Second Edition with a 1870 date on the frontispiece. The book is in generally clean condition. The spine ends and corners of the book covers have some light bumping, rubbing and wear. The top front spine joint of the book has a tear to the cloth (but not the joint itself). There is also some patches of biopredation to the spine joints and rear cover. There is chipping to the top spine end and several small nicks and tears to the bottom spine end. The front cover has gilt decorations. The text pages are clean and bright. There is a previous owner's inked name and date on the front free page. "The legends were first printed during 1837 as a regular series in the magazine Bentley's Miscellany and later in The New Monthly Magazine. They proved immensely popular and were compiled into books published by Richard Bentley in 1840, 1842 and 1847. They remained popular during the 19th century, when they ran through many editions. They were illustrated by artists including George Cruikshank, John Leech and John Tenniel; and Arthur Rackham (1898 edition). As a priest of the Chapel Royal, with a private income, Barham was not troubled with strenuous duties, and he had ample time to read, and to compose his stories and poems. Although the "legends" are based on folklore or other pre-existing sources, chiefly Kentish, such as the "hand of glory", they are mostly humorous parodies or pastiches. " (from Wikipedia). Very Good- .