first edition
1881 / 1884 / 1888 / 1892 · Boston
by [LITERATURE] THOREAU, Henry D[avid]
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1881 / 1884 / 1888 / 1892. First Edition. First printings of all four volumes, each published separately. In original green publisher's cloth, titled in gilt on spines with facsimile of Thoreau's signature to front boards, top edges gilt; black coated endpapers.
Early Spring (1881): [viii], 318 pp. A clean copy in bright cloth, rubbed; binding cracking internally at p.120 and p. 192, but holding; slight foxing to endleaves: Very Good.
Summer (1884): 16 pages of ads at rear; [2], [i-vi], [1]-382,[1]-16pp; with folding map of Concord. Sturdy and bright, with very minor rubbing at head and tail; front hinge beginning to crack but repaired; around Very Good. Early 20th-century bookplate for The Argows.
Winter (1888): 14 pages of ads at rear; [iv], vi, [1]-439, [1], [1]-14pp. Contemporary ownership signature to flyleaf. Externally handsome, apart from rubbing to head and tail; front hinge cracked through; title-page and three leaves of prelims neatly re-attached and two internal gatherings detached: just Good.
Autumn (1892): [2], [i-iii] iv-vi, [1]-470 pp. An excellent copy, though spine slightly dulled: Very Good+.
This "Seasons" series of four volumes, edited by Thoreau's friend and disciple H. G. O. Blake, collected excerpts from Thoreau's journals, largely focused on natural history. Thoreau's journal was later published in its entirety, and "has received increasing acclaim as a masterpiece in itself" (ANB). Not many copies were printed (BAL lists 1018 copies of Early Spring), and sets of the series are somewhat uncommon in the trade. BAL 20123, 20127, 20129, 20130. BORST A8.1.a, A9.1.a, A10.1.a, A11.1.a. (Inventory #: 54256)
Early Spring (1881): [viii], 318 pp. A clean copy in bright cloth, rubbed; binding cracking internally at p.120 and p. 192, but holding; slight foxing to endleaves: Very Good.
Summer (1884): 16 pages of ads at rear; [2], [i-vi], [1]-382,[1]-16pp; with folding map of Concord. Sturdy and bright, with very minor rubbing at head and tail; front hinge beginning to crack but repaired; around Very Good. Early 20th-century bookplate for The Argows.
Winter (1888): 14 pages of ads at rear; [iv], vi, [1]-439, [1], [1]-14pp. Contemporary ownership signature to flyleaf. Externally handsome, apart from rubbing to head and tail; front hinge cracked through; title-page and three leaves of prelims neatly re-attached and two internal gatherings detached: just Good.
Autumn (1892): [2], [i-iii] iv-vi, [1]-470 pp. An excellent copy, though spine slightly dulled: Very Good+.
This "Seasons" series of four volumes, edited by Thoreau's friend and disciple H. G. O. Blake, collected excerpts from Thoreau's journals, largely focused on natural history. Thoreau's journal was later published in its entirety, and "has received increasing acclaim as a masterpiece in itself" (ANB). Not many copies were printed (BAL lists 1018 copies of Early Spring), and sets of the series are somewhat uncommon in the trade. BAL 20123, 20127, 20129, 20130. BORST A8.1.a, A9.1.a, A10.1.a, A11.1.a. (Inventory #: 54256)