Washington Irving — Old Christmas

London, Macmillan, 1892. Cloth. A limited large-paper edition of Caldecott's esteemed illustrated edition of Irving's presentation of Christmas that remains popular amongst American perceptions today. The large-paper limited edition of Old Christmas: From the Sketch Book of American literary giant Washington Irving, illustrated by esteemed British illustrator Randolph Caldecott. Published by Macmillan in 1892, first illustrated in 1886.Scarce, with this edition being two-hundred and three of only two-hundred and fifty copies printed. In the publisher's original maroon cloth, with a frontispiece, six plates, and numerous ink illustrations by Caldecott throughout.Originally a banking clerk, Caldecott illustrated for local magazines before illustrating for Punch and Graphic in London. By the 1870s, Caldecott began turning his illustrations to books, including to American literary pioneer Irving's presentation of Christmas that remains popular in America today.The Caldecott medal is awarded annually to children's picture books in America, named after the British illustrator for his influence on the craft. In the publisher's original maroon cloth. Externally, mostly smart, with fading to the spine and board extremities. Slight bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities, with minor edgewear. The odd spot to end papers, heavier to rear end papers. Internally, firmly bound. Several leaves unopened. Pages are bright and clean, with the odd small mark to leaf extremities. Very Good . Ill.: Randolph Caldecott. Very Good .