Step into the enchanting world of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a tale that has captivated readers for generations. Set in a tranquil village in Westchester, New York, this classic story first published in 1819 in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., is celebrated as America’s first short story and remains a cherished classic in the literary world. 

Follow Ichabod Crane, a superstitious schoolteacher with a voracious appetite and a taste for tall tales, as he encounters the legendary Headless Horseman (the ghost of a Hessian soldier who lost his head during the Revolutionary War). As Crane navigates the eerie woods and mysterious happenings, Irving’s storytelling brings the village of Sleepy Hollow vividly to life.

Experience the suspense and charm of Sleepy Hollow in our beautifully crafted editions that are sure to delight collectors and readers alike.

Our editions of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow honor the history of Washington Irving, Sleepy Hollow, and the origins of this short story. This year, 2024, marks the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Sleepy Hollow, as well as the 175th anniversary of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, which Irving not only is buried in but also named. 

While our Collector’s Edition is a nod to the famous character synonymous with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman, the tree engraved on our Lettered and Numbered Editions is a creative rendition of one found at Sunnyside — Washington Irving's Tarrytown home.

All three editions boast not only Irving’s story but also at least 12 original pieces of art by Gregory Manchess; a new author biography of Washington Irving written by librarian and Washington Irving expert, Catalina Hannan; an afterword by Andrew Burstein, historian and author of numerous biographies, including one on Irving himself; and more to be revealed.

Typography William Caslon designed and cast the first Caslon typefaces in metal between 1720 and 1726, establishing the first true English typeface. Influenced by Dutch Baroque designs, Caslon’s type quickly gained popularity in England and was soon exported to the American colonies, where it was used to print the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Art All three editions of our The Legend of Sleepy Hollow feature 12 original pieces of art by award-winning painter Gregory Manchess.

Lettered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Lettered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Lettered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Lettered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Lettered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • Estimated Ship: Spring 2025
  • Print run of 26 copies, lettered A-Z
  • Limit 1 copy per household
  • Other Editions: Numbered, Collector’s

The Lettered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has 26 copies in print, lettered A through Z. This 10” x 14” edition features approximately 144 pages, along with 12 giclee-printed artworks by Greg Manchess and an additional signed piece. Hot-metal letterpress printed by Pat Randle (Nomad Letterpress) on handmade Losin paper, our Lettered Edition is designed and handbound by Gavin Dovey (Paper Dragon Books) with deckled edges and a custom-dyed Moroccan goatskin spine. The handsewn binding includes leather head and tail bands, and the stone leaf veneer boards are laser-etched by Sarah Pike (Freefall Laser). It’s housed in a clamshell box, wrapped in Japanese mohair cloth, and lined with burgundy pig suede. Signed by all collaborators, this edition is a true work of art.

Numbered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Numbered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Numbered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Numbered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Numbered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • Estimated Ship: Spring 2025
  • Print run of 275 copies, numbered
  • Limit 1 copy per household
  • Other Editions: Lettered, Collector’s

The Numbered Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is limited to 275 copies. This 9-¼” x 13” masterpiece spans approximately 144 pages and features 12 original, signed artworks by Greg Manchess, giclee printed and carefully tipped in. Pat Randle (Nomad Letterpress) uses hot-metal letterpress printing to bring the text to life on acid-free, mould-made Liber Charter paper. This edition is handbound by Roger Grech (R. Grech Bindery), and boasts a Dubletta cloth case with genuine quarter leather binding, leather head and tail bands, and a letterpress printed onlay by Gavin Dovey (Paper Dragon Books). Signed by all collaborators, this edition is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship.

Rights: Purchase with Matching Purchase Rights
Collector's Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Collector's Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Collector's Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Collector's Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Collector's Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • Estimated Ship: Spring 2025
  • Print run of 2500 (not numbered)
  • Limit 2 copy per household
  • Other Editions: LetteredNumbered

The Collector’s Edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has a print run of 2,500 copies. This 7” x 9” hardcover is a true collector’s piece featuring 12 original artworks by Gregory Manchess, including exclusive endpapers. The interior is printed on 80-pound cream finch opaque vellum paper, bound using Smyth-sewn techniques, and encased in a three-piece case with a cloth spine and Manchess’s original artwork. Housed in a laser-etched acrylic slipcase, this edition also includes a premium ribbon marker for an elegant finishing touch.

Author & Collaborators

Washington Irving
Author

Washington Irving

The man who is often named as America’s first author to earn his living from writing was born at the end of the American Revolution and would die a few years before the Civil War (1783-1859). In pursuit of a profession, Irving turned to writing, publishing The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.in seven parts (1819-1820.) Well received in his home country, and, later in England, from his English publisher, the famous John Murray, this collection of literary sketches included what were to become his most famous works, Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Gregory Manchess
Artist

Gregory Manchess

The award-winning painter, Gregory Manchess has worked as a freelance illustrator for forty-seven years on advertising campaigns, magazines, and book covers.

His work has appeared on covers and for feature stories of numerous magazines, such as National Geographic, Time, Atlantic Monthly, and The Smithsonian. Gregory’s excellent figure work has led to commissions for stamps by the US Postal Service, including the Mark Twain Stamp, the 1963 March On Washington Stamp, and the 2023 Christmas stamp series, Snow Globes.