first edition hardcover
1849 · Boston
by THOREAU, H.D.
Boston, 1849. First. hardcover. fine. 8vo, handsomely rebound in full brown calf, subtle blind stamped design on covers and spine, green spine labels, marbled endpapers. Boston & Cambridge, 1849. First Edition. Fine. The author's first book, published at his own expense in an edition of 1000 copies. Four years after publication, Thoreau wrote in his journal, "For a year or two past my publisher...has been writing...to ask what disposition should be made of the copies a "A Week" still on hand...so I had them all sent to me here...They are something more substantial than fame, as my back knows, which has borne them up two flights of stairs... I now have a library of nearly 900 volumes, over 700 of which I wrote myself." The one page ad announcing the forthcoming publication of "Walden" is present.
(Inventory #: 282078)