signed first edition
1924 · Boston and New York
by Muir, John
Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1924. First edition. Near Fine. A lovely, Near Fine set of Muir's works with an original manuscript page bound into the first volume. Manuscript reads: "...becomes abundant; azalea, spireae, & brierrose, weaving rich embroidery for the streams, & shaggy rugs for (crossed out in pencil and written above is 'to relieve') the stern unflinching rock-bosses. Through this delightful wilderness Canon Creek roves like a blessed Arab, without any constraining channel; throbbing & wavering, now in sunshine, now in thoughtful shade..." (published in Chapter 5 of The Mountains of California)
Number 192 of 750 numbered sets. Bound in the publisher's three-quarter burgundy morocco over cloth boards, marbled end papers, top edges gilt, complete with all text, maps and plates. Hand-colored frontis illustrations in volumes 1 - 8. Volumes 9 and 10 with frontis portraits. Large fold-out map of Yosemite in volume 2 (with a marginal tear, map not affected). Spines uniformly faded. Minor rubbing to spine ends and joints, some wear to the corners. Interior contents generally clean and fresh.
One of America's most important naturalists and preservationists - and a monumental figure in both the history of the environmental movement and the state of California. Muir not only founded the Sierra Club, but was instrumental in the establishment of both Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Though Muir is known chiefly as an American figure, he was born in Scotland - and came over as a boy when his family immigrated to the Midwest. Muir maintained an interest in spirituality and nature from his youth. Indeed, he explored the American wilderness extensively after he finished college, walking at one point over 1000 miles from Kentucky to Florida. Eventually he would settle in Northern California, where he would make his most significant impact, exploring the Sierras and Yosemite. "He knew the mountains and forests of the West as they are known only to one who has dwelt in loneliness among them, hardened his body and nourished his soul in their splendorous solitudes." (New York Times). Near Fine. (Inventory #: 6576)
Number 192 of 750 numbered sets. Bound in the publisher's three-quarter burgundy morocco over cloth boards, marbled end papers, top edges gilt, complete with all text, maps and plates. Hand-colored frontis illustrations in volumes 1 - 8. Volumes 9 and 10 with frontis portraits. Large fold-out map of Yosemite in volume 2 (with a marginal tear, map not affected). Spines uniformly faded. Minor rubbing to spine ends and joints, some wear to the corners. Interior contents generally clean and fresh.
One of America's most important naturalists and preservationists - and a monumental figure in both the history of the environmental movement and the state of California. Muir not only founded the Sierra Club, but was instrumental in the establishment of both Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Though Muir is known chiefly as an American figure, he was born in Scotland - and came over as a boy when his family immigrated to the Midwest. Muir maintained an interest in spirituality and nature from his youth. Indeed, he explored the American wilderness extensively after he finished college, walking at one point over 1000 miles from Kentucky to Florida. Eventually he would settle in Northern California, where he would make his most significant impact, exploring the Sierras and Yosemite. "He knew the mountains and forests of the West as they are known only to one who has dwelt in loneliness among them, hardened his body and nourished his soul in their splendorous solitudes." (New York Times). Near Fine. (Inventory #: 6576)