Delightful Vintage Inscribed Blue 'Old Christmas' Book by Washington Irving

Delightful Vintage Inscribed Blue 'Old Christmas' Book by Washington Irving, illustrated by the famous Randolph Caldecott (for whom the Caldecott Medal was named). Published by the Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia. While the edition is undated, the cover style references works published at the turn of the century (approx 1908). The inscription is another clue - written in a lovely cursive with a fountain pen that would have been the preferred writing instrument at the time: "Mrs. J.W. Armstrong, with best wishes for Christmas". Perhaps Mrs. Armstrong's employer? Or an admirer? The book is in very good condition with clean pages, intact binding, some bending at corners of cover and spine (please see photos). This collectible edition is a collection of five essays and stories detailing English Christmas traditions from the early 19th Century. The text originally appeared in Washington Irving's 1819 work in another publication, and were inspired by Irving's visit to Aston Hall, a Jacobean mansion near Birmingham, UK. This work helped to popularize many Christmas customs, such as the Yule Log and the Christmas Tree! The delightful Caldecott illustrations are awesome. Note that this listing is for the book only, which will be shipped with care ready for a new reader :)