The Ingoldsby Legends. by RACKHAM, Arthur (illus.); INGOLDSBY, Thomas, pseud. of Richard Harris Barham - 1907: Mirth and Marvels.

London: J. M. Dent & Co,, 1907. First edition thus, Rackham's illustrated edition of Barham's Ingoldsby Legends, revised and largely redrawn from the original 1898 edition, so that "greater prominence could be given to the illustrations by better and larger reproductions, including a greater number of illustrations in colour" (Rackham's Prefatory Note). A finely bound copy preserving the original spine and front board cloth, bound in at rear. These popular tales, which were purportedly based on the author's discovery of old documents, were in fact mostly reworkings of known narrative sources such as Kentish myth and Sir Walter Scott. Thomas Ingoldsby was the pseudonym of Richard Harris Barham (1788-1845), whose "knowledge of such areas as heraldry and witchcraft also lends a degree of authenticity to the Legends" (ODNB). Initially appearing in the serial Bentley's Miscellany in 1837, the tales were first published in book form in 1840 and inspired numerous illustrators. Octavo (245 x 190 mm). Early twentieth-century brown levant half morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe for J. W. Robinson Company, spine gilt in compartments with gilt titles direct and crow, devils and fool tools, patterned paper sides ruled in gilt, top edge gilt, patterned endpapers. Tipped-in colour frontispiece and 23 plates with printed tissue-guards, 12 monochrome plates and black and white illustrations throughout. Extremities lightly rubbed, the occasional spot to contents. A bright copy in excellent condition.