The Ingoldsby legends. By Thomas Ingoldsby, Esq

8vo, with a frontispiece of Ingoldsby (i.e. Barham), 12 etched plates by George Cruikshank, John Leech, and R. Buss, a sample wrapper from Bentley's Miscellany is bound in at the back, and a separately printed title-p. presumably done on the occasion of rebinding inserted in its appropriate place in the front; some plates a little spotted, but in all near fine in early 20th century half red morocco, gilt lettered direct on gilt-paneled spine, t.e.g. "Although he was continually throwing off humorous verse with great freedom and spirit, The Ingoldsby Legends would probably never have existed but for [Barham's] desire to aid his old friend and schoolfellow, the publisher Bentley, in Bentley's Miscellany, commenced under the editorship of Charles Dickens in January 1837 . "The Spectre of Tappington" opened the series, and was speedily succeeded by a number of others, at first derived from the legendary lore of the author's ancestral locality in Kent, but soon enriched by satires on the topics of the day and subjects of pure invention, or borrowed from history . The success of the Legends was pronounced from the first, and when published collectively . they at once took a high place in humorous literature which they have ever since retained" (DNB).…