Photos of the First Edition (1854)

The photos shown below are of the first edition of Henry David Thoreau's Walden, published in 1854 by Ticknor & Fields of Boston at Thoreau's own expense. The copy shown here was recently sold at auction by Sotheby's

Description Thoreau, Henry David. Walden; or, Life in the Maine Woods. Boston: Ticknor & Fields, 1854 In 8s. Wood-engraved vignette of Thoreau's hut on title-page, engraved map of Walden Pond, 8-page advertisement dated May, 1854, bound in between rear endpapers. Publisher's brown cloth blocked in blind, spine lettered gilt, yellow endpapers. Condition: Title-page browned and stained, faint dampstaining along lower margin, stain in lower right corner of p. 95 not affecting text, ink smudge at center of text on p. 111, map a little loose. Boards spotted and rubbed, spine ends frayed, short tear along lower joint, front free endpapers marked with pen and pencil trials and 3 lines of notes in pencil. References: Borst A2.1.a; BAL 20106; Grolier American 63 Provenance: E. D. Bishop (stamp on front pastedown and pen and pencil trials on front free endpaper) Measurements: 7 1/16 x 4 1/2 in.; 179 x 114 mm.