"WHEN JOURNEYING IN NEW ENGLAND YOU CANNOT FAIL TO BE CHARMED"

FLAGG, Wilson. The Woods and By-Ways of New England. Boston: James R. Osgood, 1872. Octavo, modern half calf and marbled boards, maroon morocco spine labels, raised bands, all edges gilt. $850.

First edition of this celebration of nature in New England, illustrated with a total of 22 photographic plates.

One of the most popular natural history writers of his day, Wilson Flagg (1805-1884) was the author of Studies in the Field and Forest, The Birds of the Garden and Orchard and The Birds and Seasons of New England, as well as a regular contributor to the Atlantic Monthly. Here, he combines descriptive passages on specific local subjects including lilacs, roses, oak trees, spruces, lily-ponds and trout streams with longer, more general essays on topics such as "Beauty in Nature," "Relations of Trees to Poetry" and "Forest Conservatories." Illustrated with 22 collotype reproductions of photographs of trees, marking an early commercial use of that printing process. Sabin 24662. Ink owner inscription dated 1906.

Text and plates clean; very slight rubbing to spine and edges. A handsome copy.