“From the Vault” is a weekly post highlighting a rare book from the Clark Library’s extensive collection. This week, Librarian Susan Roeper shares Washington Irving’s 1870 book, Irving Rip Van Winkle, a legend of the Kaatskill Mountains.
Rip Van Winkle: a legend of the Kaatskill Mountains is illustrated with original designs by eminent artists—and these haunting photographs by famous photographer Napoleon Sarony of the comedic actor Joseph Jefferson portraying Rip Van Winkle.
The Clark 
Wonderful to see old books like this being celebrated. Great post
To be honest I never heard of Irving Rip Van Winkle but the pictures are amazing. The expressions, the shades of light and the angles make your eyes stick to these and just the pictures are worth many stories. In fact I have been thinking for past five minutes as to which one would get my first vote but getting confused even though getting inclined to the second. Priceless. Thanks for sharing.
they look like they are from the 1800’s
yes, i really agree with you guys opinion, the next generation should have the opportunities to see those valuable pictures and through they can realize the old age culture very well. so thanks to those people working on preserving them and give others chances to appreciate it.
Thankfully dedicated bibliophiles like yourselves are preserving these treasures for future generations. With the increasing electronic age these works of art need to be preserved.
I’ve always loved Washington Irving’s haunting tales. I love these old photographs portraying Rip van Winkle, would be marvellous to look at the original book.
This one looks really old. Anyway, all old books should be preserved for the next generation, as they are the foundation of knowledge for today and the future.