Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Essays: Second Series, Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1844

In 8s (7 x 4 1/2 in.; 178 x 115 mm).  Scattered foxing and staining, most pronounced on flyleaves and first few text leaves, offsetting from paper placemark on pp. 54–55, light marginal age-darkening.  Publisher's brown cloth blocked in blind (BAL Binding "A" in "T"—variant color brown not noted by Blanck), spine lettered gilt, yellow-coated endpapers; rebacked with spine laid down, small loss to top of front board and board edges recolored, minor loss of cloth to fore-edge of front board, a few splits to hinges. Brown marbled folding case, red morocco spine lettered gilt.

Joseph T. Buckingham (presentation inscription from the author on the front free endpaper and pencil signature on the front pastedown) — Margaret S. Ball (signature on front free endpaper dated 1953). Acquisition: MacManus Company

BAL 5198; Grolier, American 47

In 8s (7 x 4 1/2 in.; 178 x 115 mm). Scattered foxing and staining, most pronounced on flyleaves and first few text leaves, offsetting from paper placemark on pp. 54–55, light marginal age-darkening. Publisher's brown cloth blocked in blind (BAL Binding "A" in "T"—variant color brown not noted by Blanck), spine lettered gilt, yellow-coated endpapers; rebacked with spine laid down, small loss to top of front board and board edges recolored, minor loss of cloth to fore-edge of front board, a few splits to hinges. Brown marbled folding case, red morocco spine lettered gilt.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

First edition, presentation copy, energetically inscribed by Emerson on the front free endpaper: "Joseph T. Buckingham | with Authors Respects."  Buckingham was a Boston newspaper and magazine editor and publisher. In 1831, he founded the monthly New-England Magazine with his son Edwin, which was considered one of the few worthwhile literary journals in antebellum America. "Its life was short, covering only four and a half years, but it was published just at the beginning of the great New England regency in American literature, and its roll of contributors was a distinguished one" (Frank L. Mott, A History of American Magazines: 1741–1850, p. 599).