FINELY BOUND AUTOGRAPH EDITION OF BURROUGHS’ WRITINGS, SIGNED AND INSCRIBED BY BURROUGHS, WITH AN AUTOGRAPH NOTE TIPPED IN

BURROUGHS, John. The Writings. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin, 1904-22. Twenty-three volumes. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter green morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, top edges gilt, uncut and partially unopened. $4000.

“Autograph Edition,” number 667 of only 750 copies signed by Burroughs and the publisher, additionally signed and inscribed by Burroughs, “This set of my books has been specially bound for John Jakob Raskob. John Burroughs Feb 18, 1916,” and has an autograph letter signed by Burroughs tipped into Volume I.

"Burroughs, under the influence of Emerson and Thoreau, became the greatest writer of nature essays after his two Transcendentalist masters" (Hart, 111). In addition to his nature writing, this set includes Whitman: A Study, Burroughs' homage to his friend and mentor. Complete in 22 volumes with an additional volume containing minor later works that was added in 1922.

Illustrated with frontispieces and numerous plates from original photographs and etchings. The tipped-in autograph letter, initialed by Burroughs, regards the identification of birds that Burroughs' correspondent had inquired about. BAL I:446. With bookplate of recipient John Jakob Rasob, executive at both DuPont and General Motors, head of the Democratic National Committee from 1928 to 1932 and builder of the Empire State Building.

Spines evenly toned to brown. Fine condition, very handsomely bound.