The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

A stunning gift edition of Washington Irving’s quintessential Halloween story.

Set in the fall of 1790, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow tells the story of schoolteacher Ichabod Crane who hopes to woo the daughter of a wealthy farmer in New York’s Hudson Valley. Superstitious and gullible, Crane is a believer in the many supernatural tales circulating in the local Dutch community. Late one autumn night, as Ichabod rides home having lost the object of his affections to a rival suitor, he encounters his worst fear: the Headless Horseman, thought to be the ghost of a decapitated soldier from the Revolutionary War.

First published in 1820, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow became the inspiration for many adaptations ranging from silent film, animation, and blockbuster movies to musicals and graphic novels, solidifying its legacy as a touchstone of the horror genre and Halloween time. In this edition of Washington Irving’s classic tale, readers encounter the story of Ichabod Crane anew, here reproduced with beautiful illustrations by Arthur Rackham and an introduction by Jonathan Kruk.

Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American writer and journalist, regarded by many as the founding father of American literature. Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) was a leading book illustrator of his generation.