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(SETS AND BINDINGS.) Thoreau, Henry David. The Writings . . . Manuscript Edition.

(SETS AND BINDINGS.) Thoreau, Henry David. The Writings . . . Manuscript Edition. 20 volumes. Photogravure frontispieces and plates with lettered tissue guards. 8vo, 3/4 evergreen morocco over marbled paper, spine with gilt lettering in two compartments, gilt flower and leaf design in four; book label on pastedowns; letter is removed from volume. It was separated at center fold and has been skillfully repaired. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1906

  • Notes: number 22 of 600 sets with an original manuscript leaf by thoreau and Signed by the publisher in Volume One. The passage concerns a paddling journey to a vineyard island with detailed description of the grapes and surroundings: "This island was fringed with grape vines, none of whose leaves had begun to yellow. Finding grapes there, we proceeded to pluck them, tempted more by their fragrance and color, than their flavor, though some were very palatable. We gathered many as we paddled back without getting out of the boat . . . you could not touch some vines without bringing down more single grapes in a shower around you, than you plucked in bunches. But is was a pity to break the handsome clusters. Fragile grapes have lost almost all their heart and charm . . . some long amber clouds on the horizon, how all on fire with gold, were more glittering than any jewelry . . ."
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November 29, 2007 1:30 PM EST
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