Thoreau, Henry David

Excursions. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1863. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Thoreau. Publisher's embossed green cloth gilt (Allen 15; BAL 5236, 20111; Borst A3.1.a) 863 — Cape Cod. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1865. Publisher's embossed purple cloth. Inscribed in pencil on front blank "Theo. Brown, 26 Chestnut St."(Allen 19; BAL 20115; Borst A5.1.a)  — A Yankee in Canada, With Anti-Slavery and Reform Papers. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1866. Publisher's pebbled green cloth. Inscribed on the front blank by the author's sister and editor Sophia, "Theo. Brown, with the kind regards of S. E. Thoreau." (Allen 22–23; BAL 20117; Borst A7.1.a) — Early Spring in Massachusetts. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1881. Publisher's green cloth. Inscribed on the front blank by the editor of the book, a mutual friend of Thoreau and Theo Brown, "Sarah Brown from H. G. O. Blake, Feb. 28th 1881." (Allen 24–25; BAL 20123; Borst A8.1.a) — Summer. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1884. Double-page map of the town of Concord. Publisher's green cloth. Inscribed on the front blank by the editor, "Mrs. Theo. Brown, with the affectionate regards of H. G. O. Blake, Worcester, June 5, 1884." (BAL 5236, 20127; Borst A9.1.a)

Together 5 volumes, 8vo. First volume lacks the front blank, where Theo Brown typically signed his books. Various publisher's bindings; variously worn. Uniform half blue morocco slipcases, chemises.

Theo and Sarah Brown (signatures and inscriptions) — James S. Copley Library (bookplates; sale, Sotheby's New York, 17 June 2010, lot 434)

First editions, all from the collection of Thoreau's friend Theo Brown or Brown's widow, Sarah. A Yankee in Canada, inscribed here by Thoreau's sister and editor, contains the first book appearance of "Civil Disobediance," one of the most influential essays in American history.