Scarce First Edition Copy BAL 20113
Step into the wilds of New England with this very good copy of The Maine Woods, Thoreau’s evocative account of his travels through Maine’s untamed wilderness. Published in 1864 by the venerable Ticknor & Fields of Boston, this volume captures the transcendentalist’s reverence for nature with elegant simplicity—and, in this case, bibliographic mystery.
 
📘 Bibliographic Notes:
This copy aligns with the second printing (Aug. 12, 1864), traditionally labeled “Second Edition” on the copyright page. However, no such statement appears here—and there are no signs of removal, as sometimes found in copies altered to resemble the first.
Per BAL, another distinction between the two printings lies in the publisher’s list on p. [ii]: priced in the first printing, unpriced in the second. Notably, this copy’s list is unpriced, echoing second printing characteristics—yet BAL has not documented a first printing copy with unpriced titles, adding a layer of intrigue for bibliophiles.
Referenced in BAL 20113.
 
🛠️ Condition:
Binding: Original blind-stamped purple cloth, re-cased with careful repairs to spine ends and front joint.
Lettering: Spine gilt remains bright.
Endpapers: Brown coated.
Pages: 8vo.  viii, 328 pp. (plus Appendix). Light foxing throughout.
Wear: Spine sunned with minor staining and soiling.
A solid and attractive copy in a period-appropriate binding—remarkably preserved for a title increasingly difficult to find in its original form.
 
🌲 Why It Matters:
Thoreau’s The Maine Woods blends philosophical depth with keen natural observation, offering a rugged counterpoint to Walden. This copy’s blend of historical ambiguity and physical charm makes it an especially compelling artifact for collectors of 19th-century American literature.