A Fine Collection of American Literature and History

Some of the Earliest Printed Appearances of Henry David Thoreau

Boston: Weeks, Jordan, and Company/London: Wiley and Putnam, 1841/Boston: E.P. Peabody/London: John Green, 1842. In two volumes. Vol. I, Nos. I-IV (July, 1840-April, 1841) and Vol. II, Nos. I-IV (July, 1841-April, 1842). Three-quarter tan morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, red and black morocco spine labels, stamped in blind and in gilt; all edges trimmed; light to moderate foxing to text; some leaves in each volume lightly toned; dampstaining in top gutter of second volume beginning at p. (273); old cataloguer's description bound in at front of first volume. Borst D2, D3, D4, D5, D6

A handsome collection of the principal publication of the Transcendental Movement, featuring some of the earliest printed appearances of Henry David Thoreau. His poem Sympathy, only his second-ever appearance in print (pp. 71-72 in Vol. I, No. I, signed "T"), followed by Aulus Persius Flaccus, his third (Vol. I, pp. 117-121), Stanzas, his fourth (Vol. I, No. III, p. 314), Sic Vita, his fifth (Vol. II, No. I, pp. 81-82), and Friendship, his sixth (Vol. II, No. II, pp. 204-205). These were preceded only by an unsigned obituary he wrote for the Yeoman's Gazette, published on November 25, 1837.