Irving's Salmagundi, in parts

Salmagundi: or The Whim-Whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, Esq. and Others.

New York: Published by David Longworth, At the Shakspeare-Gallery, 1807-1808.

Price: $5,000.00


About the item

Mixed set: Volume I title page dated 1807 (BAL title page C); vol II title page A; part I is third edition, parts II and III are second edition, parts IV through XX are first editions; frontispiece in part VIII, BAL portrait 2; part X is the later state with published spelled correctly on p. 206). 1 vols. 12mo (5-5/8 x 3-1/2 inches). Irving's Salmagundi, in parts. Removed. A clean set lacking the wrappers. Owner signatures of A. Heard to title pages. Very good. Custom morocco backed slipcase and cloth chemise. BAL 10097.

Item #316042

The first original work by Washington Irving (after a collaboration with Howard Payne). A whimsical collection of essays poking fun at the tastes, activities, and political trends of New York, and reflecting the aristocratic, Federalist sympathies of the authors. The “Whim-Whams and Opinions” include contributions by Irving, James Kirke Paulding, and Irving’s younger brother William Irving Jr. During his lifetime, Irving refused to permit Salmagundi to be reprinted in his collected works.

A work of devilish bibliographic complexity, with BAL noting that Blanck’s caution still holds: “anything remotely resembling finality is impossible. However, some progress toward that devoutly-to-be-wished end has been made.” This set is textually complete and includes the 1807 title page of vol. I, the portrait of Launcelot Langstaff, esq., in early state, and early ownership signatures.