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[Ralph Waldo Emerson]. Nature. Boston: James Munroe, 1836....
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Description
An outstanding association copy, Nature inscribed by Emerson to Carlyle: one of the greatest Anglo-American literary associations
[Ralph Waldo Emerson]. Nature. Boston: James Munroe,
1836.12mo, original embossed seafoam blue cloth, gilt-lettered on upper cover; green half morocco slipcase.
FIRST EDITION OF EMERSON'S FIRST BOOK, PRESENTATION COPY TO THOMAS CARLYLE, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper: "Mr Thomas Carlyle, from his friend R.W. Emerson." Myerson's presumed First State with page 94 misnumbered "92"; Myerson's Cloth 7, Stamping B Binding (no priority).
Emerson's essay Nature pronounced the foundation of transcendentalism, a belief system that espouses a non-traditional appreciation of nature. It was a reaction against the rational skepticism of European thought at the time, and the confining religious orthodoxy of eighteenth-century New England. Emerson lays out and attempts to solve an abstract problem: that humans do not fully accept nature's beauty. He writes that people are distracted by the demands of the world, whereas nature gives but humans fail to reciprocate. The essay consists of eight sections: Nature, Commodity, Beauty, Language, Discipline, Idealism, Spirit, and Prospects. Each section adopts a different perspective on the relationship between humans and nature.
Nature was published, in 500 copies, on September 9 or 10, 1836, and was preceded only by a broadside and a pamphlet. In July 1836, the first published and first American edition of Carlyle's Sartor Resartus--edited, promoted, and with a preface by Emerson--was issued by James Munroe in Boston. Emerson met Carlyle in 1833, and out of this encounter came a close friendship and a literary association lasting almost forty years. Emerson introduced Carlyle to America with Sartor Resartus and helped to promote or edit American editions of The French Revolution, Essays, and Past and Present; Carlyle contributed a preface to the English edition of Emerson's Essays.
This copy has a fascinating history, as it was sent as a replacement for the copy Carlyle and his circle "read to death." On the 17th of September, 1836 (about one week after publication), Emerson sent a copy to Carlyle of his "little book...as an opening wedge" in the exposition of their new philosophy (Correspondence, ed. Joseph Slater, p. 149). "Your little azure-coloured Nature gave me a true satisfaction," replied Carlyle (13 February 1837). "I read it, and then lent it about to all my acquaintance that had a sense for such things: from whom a similar verdict always comes back. You say it is the first chapter of something greater. I call it rather the Foundation and Ground-plan on which you may build whatsoever of great and true has been given you to build."
After circulating the book so frequently, Carlyle reported in October 1838 that "it is nearly thumbed to pieces" (p. 195), and in the following April he had finally lost it: "Somebody has stolen Nature from me, or many have thumbed it to pieces: I could not find a copy. Send me one, the first chance you have..." (p. 223). Emerson complied, and on 15 May 1839, he sent the present copy to Carlyle, which bears several of his pencil markings and annotations. On page 69 Carlyle has made a pencil marking next to a few sentences discussing "Beauty" and "Truth" being the same and on the rear endpaper has written in pencil "Beauty, Truth alike p. 69."
Condition: Some very slight evidence of a small label once affixed to spine (slight discoloration); slight wear to spine ends and two fore-corners; slight toning to spine and board edges. Some light foxing mostly to fore-margins; slight toning to margin extremes. Overall a fine, firm copy.
References: BAL 5181; Grolier, English 80; Myerson A3.1.a;
Provenance: Thomas Carlyle (presentation inscription; bookplate; descended to; Alexander Carlyle, Thomas's nephew (sold Sotheby's, 13 June 1932, lot 51, to); Alvin J. Scheuer, from whom it passed via Mrs. Millard (pencil notation on rear flyleaf), to; Estelle Doheny (bookplate, her sale, Christie's New York, 17 October 1988, lot 1271). From the William A. Strutz Library.
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Auction Info
2024 June 27 Important English and American Literature: The William A. Strutz Library, Part I, Rare Books Signature® Auction #6295 (go to Auction Home page)
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