THE SEASIDE AND THE FIRESIDE.
[with tipped-in signature] Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, 1850. 4 pp preliminary ads dated December 1849. Original drab paper-covered boards with printed spine label.
First Edition of this collection of verse best known for the trochaic ode "The Building of the Ship," which concludes with the famous apostrophe to the Federal Union, "Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!...". This copy is bound in paper-covered boards-and-label; others, without priority, were bound in cloth, in cloth "gilt," and in cloth "gilt extra"; this copy does have the December 1849 ad catalogue (citing this title as "just issued"), which some but not all of the boards and regular cloth copies have.
It is in very good condition, with some wear at the front joint and some lightening of the boards toward the bottom. The 1840s was the changeover decade from boards-and-label to cloth, and this copy shows why -- as the earlier binding style was so fragile. Blanck 12099.
Tipped to the front paste-down is Longfellow's signature, clipped from a letter or document. Also appearing is the bookplate of Albert Parsons Sachs (chemical engineer, patent holder, critic, whose considerable book collection (largely poetry) was sold by Ritter-Hopson Galleries in November 1932. Item #14715
Price: $425.00