Cape Cod,  by Henry David Thoreau
Edited by William Ellery Channing and Sophia Thoreau
First Edition, First Printing, 1865
 
2,040 copies printed in January1865. Into the back of some of these, Ticknor and Fields bound a 24 page catalog advertising other books. This book contains that catalog at the back. (BAL 20115)
 
The handwritten signature of John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) is pasted into the front of this book. Alas, the reason for this is unknown.... could this copy have belonged to Whittier who was an abolitionist, poet, and contemporary of Thoreau? Or was it pasted in by a collector? 'Tis a mystery, but a special one. 
 
Condition / Notes:
In Good Condition, this First Edition of Thoreau’s CAPE COD was printed in London. The pages were sent to America to be bound with Boston Publisher Ticknor and Fields title page inside. Bound in original purple BD cloth binding. Spine is sun-faded to brown. Gold gilt on spine remains bright, clean, and readable. Spine reads: CAPE COD by Thoreau, Author of WALDEN and A WEEK ON CONCORD RIVER. There are several black spots over the spine gilt just below the word WALDEN, and over the “o” for the word ON”. 
 
Some very light scuffing to front and back of cover, and very minimal bumping to corner of boards. Small tearing to cloth at the top of spine (likely from book being pulled off a shelf). Please see photos. 
 
Brown chocolate endpapers. John Greenleaf Whittier’s handwritten signature is pasted onto the front chocolate end paper. The paper with Whittier’s signature is loose in the middle, but secure on the edges. 
 
Binding is good with some places of cracking and exposing of hinges not affecting structure. 
 
Small tear at the bottom of page 3. Tear is at the bottom of the page in blank space. (See photo). Crease mark at top of pages 221/222 and 223/224. Occasional light foxing in various places throughout, yet minimal. 
 
December 1864, 24 page Ticknor and Fields Catalog at back of Volume.