The Writings of John Muir, Manuscript Edition

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1924. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. One of 750 sets of the "Manuscript Edition", ten volumes (complete), octavo size, approximately 4100 total pp. John Muir (1838-1914) remains perhaps the most well-known and beloved writer for his work on environmental issues, and wrote extensively on the west, including Yosemite and the Sierras. He helped to preserve the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park and other wilderness areas, as well as being co-founder of the Sierra Club.

This set is comprised of: Vol 1: "The Story of My Boyhood and Youth" and "A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf"; Vol. 2, "My First Summer (truncated) in the Sierra"; Vol. 3, "Travels in Alaska"; Vol. 4, "The Mountains of California", volume I; Vol. 5, "The Mountains of California", volume II; Vol. 6, "Our National Parks"; Vol. 7, "The Cruise of the Corwin...."; Vol. 8, "Steep Trails"; Volumes 9 and 10, the two volumes of "The Life and Letters of John Muir", printed in this set for the first time.

A portion of a leaf of manuscript is tipped onto the front flyleaf in volume 1, this leaf from "The Mountains of California". It is fascinating to compare the MSS with the final published version. The MSS reads: "...comparatively young their lithe bushy summits were mingling together in perfect ecstasy. I am in the habit of climbing such trees to examine their flowers & cones therefore I reached the summit without experiencing the slightest difficulty & never before did I enjoy so noble an exhileration the slender tops fairly flapped in the...". The final published lines (taken from the Library of Congress digital version, their p. 119) read: "Though comparataively young, they were about 100 feet high, and their lithe, 252 brushy tops were rocking and swirling in wild ecstasy. Being accustomed to climb trees in making botanical studies, I experienced no difficulty in reaching the top of this one, and never before did I enjoy so noble an exhilaration of motion. The slender tops fairly flapped...".

This set bound in half leather (stated as three-quarter in Kimes) and, in addition to the MSS leaf, contains the additional coloured photogravure frontis in the first eight volumes.

___DESCRIPTION: Bound in half dark maroon levant morocco with maroon cloth boards, gilt-stamped lettering and floral ornaments on the spines, top edges gilt, printed marbled endpapers; volume 1 with the the MSS leaf tipped onto the leaf following the half-title, the words as described above with the number "18" at the top, followed by the coloured photogravure frontis in the first eight volumes, this followed by the standard frontis which is different in each volume, each with a tissue guard of which some are lettered, title pages in black and red, many of the volumes with black-and-white reproductions of photographs or other illustrations, a few with maps; octavo size (8 7/8" by 6 1/8"), pagination varies between 399 and 428; limited edition of 750 sets, this no. 100 (the limitation statement on the verso of the title page in vol. 1), the 750 sets were available in four different bindings and was sold by subscription only, with the customer choosing their desired binding, the books both printed and bound by The Riverside Press.

___CONDITION: The set is overall in fine condition, the leather portions of the binding smooth and supple, the boards clean, the gilt top-edges bright, straight corners without rubbing, strong, square text blocks with solid hinges, the interiors clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; there are a few very small spots on the MSS leaf where the ink has gone through the paper, but otherwise that page is fine. Please note that we had a professional (name available upon request) perform light restoration to several volumes and the set is now both sturdy and lovely.

___CITATION: Kimes no. 342.

___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. (Inventory #: 24080701)