The Works of Washington Irving in Two Volumes with a Portrait of the Author

This two volume set of works of Washington Irving contains:  The Sketchbook Knickerbocker's History of New York Bracebridge Hall Tales of a Traveller A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada The Alhambra These copies also have an interesting connection with American history and notable figures in American politics.  The first volume has a large inscription on the second fly leaf which reads, "A token to Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Strong of the gratitude, friendship esteem and desire for rememberance of Marshall M." in pen, followed by "May 1st 1846" in pencil.  The second volume has "Strong" written on the first fly leaf and "Latham C. Strong, Eighth St., Troy."  On the first title page of the second volume is an inscription reading, "To Henry Wright Strong, A gift of love, from our affectionate Brother, Marshall M. Strong, Racine Wis., 1846." The Strongs were an American family with a long history in America, including serving in political office.  Their first American ancestor, Elder John Strong, came to Massachusetts in 1630 from England. These books were a gift to Henry Wright Strong (1810-1848) from his brother Marshall Wright Strong (1813-1864).  Henry was an American lawyer and politician who practised in Troy, New York, where he also served on the New York State Senate and was a secretary of the New York State Constitutional Convention. Marshall Mason Strong (1813-1864) was also a lawyer and politician who served as an editor for the Racine Argus, which was the first newspaper in Racine County, which he helped to found in 1838.   Latham C. Strong, who was the son of Henry, and a poet who produced four volumes of poetry. Volume I is in good condition, with brown fabric-covered boards, with a gilt title on the spine.  There is some staining and wear to the fabric, and the corners are bumped with fabric worn from them.  The fabric is also thinning or worn off on the edges, as well as some loss to the top and bottom of the spine.  There is some foxing, primarily to the pastedowns and fly leaves.  The text remains clean.  There is some occasional cracking, but overall the binding is tight. Volume II has similar staining and wear to the fabric, with more loss to the edges, and some loss to the top of the spine.  There is denting to the edge of the front cover, and the corners are bumped with the fabric worn off.  Volume II has more foxing than Volume I, including on some of the pages of text, but nothing that affects legibility.  The binding is tight with no significant cracking. These volumes will likely require additional shipping charges.…