Description
First edition, first issue of Walden, or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau, bound by Zaehnsdorf of London.
Octavo, 357pp, [3], [8pp], [1]. Full black morocco. Five raised bands, title in gilt on spine. Touch of sunning to spine. Top edge gilt with gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers. Bound by Zaehnsdorf of London for A.C. McClurg & Co. of Chicago, with imprint on second endpaper. Solid text block, free of foxing or notations. Includes map of Walden Pond inserted after Page 306, with S.W. Chander & Bro. imprint along bottom edge. Eight pages of publisher’s advertisements at rear of volume, dated “April, 1854” with no priority stated in BAL. Original cloth covers and spine bound in at rear.
(BAL 20106) (Borst A2.1.a) (Grolier American 63)
This American classic is scarce seen in its first edition form. The publisher, Ticknor and Fields, only published 2,000 copies for the initial run.
