The Ingoldsby Legends; or, Mirth and Marvels

London: Richard Bentley & Son, 1887 . Cloth. Very Good. 8.5" by 6.5". John Leech; George Cruikshank; Barham. A lovely late nineteenth century edition of Richard Harris Barham's popular collection of fantastical short stories, illustrated by George Cruikshank and John Leech. A very smart edition of this delightful collection of whimsical legends, myths, and ghost stories written supposedly by Thomas Ingoldsby of Tappington Manor, actually the pen-name of clergyman Richard Harris Barham. The legends were first printed in 1837 as a regular series in magazine 'Bentley's Miscellany', and due to their popularity were compiled and published in book form. Although based on real legends and mythology, they are deliberately humorous parodies of medieval folklore and poetry.Illustrated with a frontispiece, engraved title page, and nineteen plates. Illustrated by John Leech and George Cruikshank. Collated, complete.Bentley's 'Carmine Edition' of this work.With two pages of advertisements to the rear. In the publisher's original cloth binging. Bumping to spine head and tail, otherwise externally lovely. Rear hinge lightly strained, but firmly held. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally clean and bright, with the odd spot to plates. Very Good