The French Revolution, a History
by (EMERSON, R. W.) CARLYLE, THOMAS
- Used
- Hardcover
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Stevenson, Maryland, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Two volumes. Original cloth. Light fraying to spine ends, else a fine set.
First American edition. A splendid presentation copy inscribed by Ralph Waldo Emerson to his brother: "Wm. Emerson from his brother Waldo." The inscription is in pencil in the second volume. Emerson used this intimate signature only with his immediate family. Page 270 of the first volume bears a pencil correction apparently in Emerson's hand.
Emerson paid his greatest tribute and service to his friend Thomas Carlyle in arranging for this first American publication of The French Revolution. Thus Emerson was responsible for establishing in America the view of the French Revolution that has "molded popular conception of the French Revolution down to the present day" (Printing and the Mind of Man 304). The French Revolution "is a prose epic, a work of creative genius, in which the facts of history are illumined by the imagination of a poet" (Cambridge History).
"I know nobody among my contemporaries except Carlyle who writes with any sinew and vivacity comparable to Plutarch and Montaigne" (Emerson's journal June 24, 1840).
Maintaining a close friendship and literary association for decades, Emerson and Carlyle served as intellectual inspirations and touchstones for each other. In 1836 Emerson arranged for the American publication of and wrote an introduction for Carlyle's Sartor Resartus, and Carlyle returned the favor a few years later, writing an introduction for the English edition of his friend's Essays.
Emerson wrote in his journal, "Carlyle represents very well the literary man, makes good the place of and function of Erasmus and Johnson, of Dryden and Swift, to our generation. He is thoroughly a gentleman and deserves well of the whole fraternity of scholars, for sustaining the dignity of his profession of Author in England" (July 12, 1842).
RARE: we can trace no other inscribed copies at auction or in any of the major collections of American literature (Arnold, Chamberlain, Wakeman, Wilson, etc.).
This is a 19th-century literary association copy of the greatest significance.
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Details
- Bookseller
- 19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 32820675
- Title
- The French Revolution, a History
- Author
- (EMERSON, R. W.) CARLYLE, THOMAS
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- Little and Brown
- Place of Publication
- Boston
- Date Published
- 1838
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
- Note
- May be a multi-volume set and require additional postage.
Terms of Sale
19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop
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About the Seller
19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop
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Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Association Copy
- An association copy is a copy of a book which has been signed and inscribed by the author for a personal friend, colleague, or...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Inscribed
- When a book is described as being inscribed, it indicates that a short note written by the author or a previous owner has been...