Books

First printing, duodecimo size, 360 pp., in custom slipcase and chemise. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was a leading transcendentalist writer, poet, historian, and abolitionist, best known for his works "Walden" and "Civil Disobedience". This work is part of his writings known as his "excursion" books - he famously advised others to read as much travel literature as possible, so as to "live at home like a traveler" (n.b., quote from "The Writings of Henry David Thoreau"). "The Maine Woods" sets forth Thoreau's thoughts as "he explores Mt. Katahdin (an Indian word meaning 'highest land'), Lake Chesuncook, the Allagash River, and the East Branch of the Penobscot.[he] muses on his own vulnerability and the humility engendered by his solitude in the wilderness. Throughout Thoreau invokes the forest of Maine - the mountains, waterways, fauna, flora, and the people - in his singular style. Echoing 'Walden', Thoreau's passionate outcry against the degradation of the environment in 'The Maine Woods' will resonate strongly today" (n.b., quote from the web site of the Yale University Press). ___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full textured cloth over boards, blind-debossed on both boards is a wreath in the center with decorated ruled borders, brown coated endpapers, facing the title page is the list of "Mr. Thoreau's Writings" with the prices (the salient point in identifying a first printing, per the BAL), title page with publisher's device, both the title and copyright pages dated 1864, publisher's ads at the rear dated April, 1864 followed by the ad for "The Thirteenth Volume for The Atlantic Monthly"; duodecimo size (7 3/8" by 4 7/8"), pagination: [i-viii] [1] 2-328 [page 1 of publisher's ads] 2-22 [1, Atlantic Monthly ad, verso blank]. In a custom slipcase and chemise covered in light green cloth, gilt lettering on the spine of the slipcase. ___CONDITION: A solid very good copy, externally good only and internally near fine: the binding slightly soiled (the worst being what appears to be water damage to the bottom fore-edge corner, with no damp in the front pastedown so it did not penetrate the board), a strong text block with solid hinges, a very small, light spot in the fore-edge margin of the first fourteen leaves and a similar small light spot in the fore-edge margin of the final twenty leaves, the rest of the text block clean, the spine sunned. The custom slipcase and chemise fine, clean, sturdy, without wear. ___CITATION: BAL no. 20113. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.

A collection of essays recounting Henry David Thoreau's experiences in the forests of Maine, USA, portraying the natural beauty and untamed wilderness of the area.