Rip Van Winkle, Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Rip Van Winkle, as illustrated by R. W. Sawyer, was published in 1909 by John W. Luce & Company of Boston. The book, at 34 pages long, was printed on imitation birch bark paper and included a slipcase. It originally retailed for 75 cents.
Rip Van Winkle, Illustrated by R. W. SawyerRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
Rip Van Winkle, Illustrated by R. W. SawyerRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
The book was well received by the industry and readers alike. The Boston Globe wrote that “Rip Van Winkle, Washington Irving’s famous story in birchbark imitation dress, with decorations and illustrations by R. W. Sawyer, would prove an acceptable Christmas gift to anyone. The story has no superior in the realm of fiction. The narrative has a restful flow, the plot is homely, yet ingenious, the character of Rip perennially lovable and the humor exquisite. If there is a person living who has not read this masterpiece he should do so at once. The birchbark edition will add pleasure to the reading.”
The San Francisco Call and Post wrote that “Rip Van Winkle is always one of the favorite stories to be put into fancy little booklets for the holiday season. This year Washington Irving’s little masterpiece has been most artistically bound in imitation birch bark and the paper upon which it is printed seems also birch bark. The decorations of unusual excellence are done by R. W. Sawyer and have been well reproduced in color. The real book lover has usually a scorn for the fancifully bound booklets, but this one will please him.”
The Village Inn
The Village InnRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
Perpetual Club of the Sages, Philosophers, and Other Idle Personages of the Village
Perpetual Club of the Sages, Philosophers, and Other Idle Personages of the VillageRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
He Was a Short Square-Built Old Fellow
He Was a Short Square-Built Old FellowRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
A Company of Odd-Looking Personages Playing at Nine-Pins
A Company of Odd-Looking Personages Playing at Nine-PinsRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
He Was Naturally a Thirsty Soul
He Was Naturally a Thirsty SoulRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
He Fell Into a Deep Sleep
He Fell Into a Deep SleepRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
He Found Himself On the Green Knoll
He Found Himself On the Green KnollRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
Surely, I Have Not Slept Here All Night
Surely, I Have Not Slept Here All NightRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
He Had Now Entered the Skirts of the Village
He Had Now Entered the Skirts of the VillageRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
Being Arrived At That Happy Age When a Man Can Be Idle With Impunity
Being Arrived At That Happy Age When a Men Can Be Idle With ImpunityRip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
Illustrated by R. W. Sawyer
Boston: John W. Luce & Company
Published in 1909
The Indianapolis News reviewed that “Rip Van Winkle, Washington Irving’s famous classic of the Catskills, has been issued bound in imitation wood and illustrated attractively. The type is large and legible and all – old as well as young – who love the quaint old story, with the irony and humor of Washington Irving that is in it, will find this reprint acceptable.”
The Plain Dealer, of Cleveland, offered that “another distinctly attractive Irving gift book is Rip Van Winkle, decorated by R. W. Sawyer. The paper, the binding and the little box in which the booklet is placed area all dainty imitations of birch bark.
The Buffalo Courier Express reviewed that “Rip Van Winkle appears in a new dress – an attractive one – this fall. It is printed in a tall narrow volume, on paper that looks like birch bark, and with covers of what looks like bark, tied together by a thong. It has decorations by R. W. Sawyer.”
John W. Luce & Company, the publishers, was a small publishing firm founded in December 1903 at Boston, Massachusetts. It was briefly first known as Robinson, Luce Company. John W. Luce had previously helped organize the C. M. Clark Publishing Company, where he had remained for about five years until the spring of 1903. John W. Luce & Company ceased publishing new works in 1947 and went out of business shortly thereafter.
