Twenty volume collection of ''The Writings of Henry David Thoreau'' limited ''manuscript'' edition, containing a handwritten draft by Thoreau from his unpublished book, ''Moonlight'' as well as His ''Journals''. Boston: Houghton Mifflin and Company, 1906, number 93 in the limited edition of 600.
Thoreau's handwritten draft reads in full,
''From time immemorial, in planting, pruning, grafting, and the like, but that was only the work of the Almanack, for they do not plant by night.
It would seem that we may fail to see the sun even by not looking up. De Quincey thinks that 'this downward direction of the eyes' must have been worse in former ages; because, else, it never could have happened that, until Queen Ann's [sic] days, nobody ever hinted in a book that there was such a thing, or could be such a thing, as the Aurora Borealis; and in fact, [Edmond] Halley had the credit of discovering it.'
I should call my subject Moonshine - except that this has got a bad name. Think of it - and whose fault it is! I would rather be a worshipper of the moon - even moon struck, than be her slanderer.
[crossed out] I think it was Dr. [Thomas] Chalmers who said, with reference to''.
Thoreau continues on the verso, ''Sir Francis Head says that in America 'the moon looks larger' than in Europe. We Americans then, it may be expected, will have more of the mystic, and dreaming, more of moonshine in our thoughts after all, than Europeans.
[crossed out] I think it was Dr. Chalmers who said, with reference to
Of course my ideas will partake of the qualities of moonlight, but nevertheless I trust that, like that, they will serve in some measure to illustrate the darkness of the night.
I think it was Dr. Chalmers who said, with reference to''.
Manuscript leaf has been inlaid and tipped-into volume 1 by the publisher, folding out to measure 10.25'' x 8.625''. With signature by Houghton Mifflin on the limitation page. In addition to the manuscript, volumes also feature photogravure plates by Herbert W. Gleason throughout, and a color frontispiece and color carbon photograph of a flower within each volume. Bound in publisher's three-quarter levant morocco leather, with a gilt floral pattern tooled to spine. Top edge gilt, deckled fore edge. Collection includes all twenty volumes, each measuring 6.25'' x 9''. Small horizontal split on fold line of manuscript. Private library bookplate to front pastedowns. Light wear with separation starting to a few of the volumes. Very good plus condition.