by Henry David THoreau
First edition, first printing of the classic nature study
Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1854. First edition, first printing. 357, [7, blank including rear endpaper], 8 (ads) pp. Bound in publisher's brown cloth decoratively stamped in blind with titles in gilt on spine, with ads at rear dated June 1854 (no priority). Title page vignette of Thoreau's hut at Walden, and a plate of a map at Walden Pond with faint Chandler imprint. Very Good+ with lean to binding; moderate edge wear, heavier wear at spine ends with some loss and remnants of white paint at foot. Minor staining to cloth, contemporary ownership at front free endpaper; contents lightly age- toned. Small marginal dampstain at top edge of leaves between pages 150-210.
An unrestored copy in the original cloth. The chief work of one of the major figures in American literature. Thoreau writes, "I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours" (p.346).