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Old Christmas

Gilded Pocket Edition
By Washington Irving
Series: Arcturus Ornate Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Old Christmas gathers Washington Irving's five charming Christmas stories, originally published in 1819-20, depicting festive English traditions. The tales are set around a Jacobean mansion called 'Bracebridge Hall' and reveal the warmth and joy of Christmas through intimate narrations of ceremonies, celebrations, and family gatherings. Illustrated by Randolph Caldecott, the stories evoke 19th-century Christmas spirit with vivid recollections of banquets and festive merriment.
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Format: Hardback
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This elegant edition is ideal for readers who appreciate classic Christmas tales and historical perspectives on holiday traditions, as well as gift-givers seeking a beautifully presented collectible volume.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This elegant gift edition brings together Washington Irving's five Christmas stories in a single volume, presented with a delightful gold-embossed cover design, gilded page edges and original illustrations.

Originally published in 1819-20 and illustrated by Randolph Caldecott, the five stories in Old Christmas describe English traditions of Christmas and recount the festivities that Irving experienced while visiting Aston Hall (here known as 'Bracebridge Hall'), a Jacobean mansion near Birmingham, UK.

'Christmas' reflects on the meaning of Christmas and the ceremonies and festivities that attend it. 'The Stage Coach' follows the protagonist as he spends Christmas Eve in a small town during a coach stop. 'Christmas Eve', 'Christmas Day', and 'The Christmas Dinner' recount Irving's memories at Aston Hall, including the sumptuous banquet and joyful family time of the Christmas dinner.

Featuring original black and white illustrations by Randolph Caldecott, these nostalgic recollections of Christmas traditions in 19th century England are a perfect way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Ornate Classics are beautifully bound editions of iconic literary works across history. These compact, foil-embossed hardbacks are printed using deluxe ivory paper and make the perfect gift.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781398818750

Publisher: Arcturus Publishing Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 30 October 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Arcturus

Illustration: Imitation cloth with gold foil blocking

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Randolph Caldecott
  • Contributions by J. D. Cooper

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 19.0mm

Width: 105.0mm

Height: 165.0mm

Weight: 127g

Pages: 208

Collections

Christmas Books and Gifts Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Series: Arcturus Ornate Classics Washington Irving

About the Author

Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American short-story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat. He is best known for his short stories 'Rip Van Winkle' (1819) and 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'(1820), both of which appear in his collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. He wrote biographies of Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad and George Washington, as well as several histories of 15th-century Spain. Irving served as American ambassador to Spain in the 1840s. Irving was one of the first American writers to find acclaim in Europe and admirers included Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, Mary Shelley, and Walter Scott.

Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886) was an influential British artist and book illustrator. His work was exhibited by the Royal Academy and was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1882. Among well-known admirers of his work were Gauguin and Van Gogh.

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