[ALCOTT, AMOS BRONSON] | Emerson. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Privately Printed [University Press: Welch, Bigelow, and Company], 1865

The Property of a Gentleman

[ALCOTT, AMOS BRONSON]

Emerson. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Privately Printed [University Press: Welch, Bigelow, and Company], 1865

8vo (5 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.; 134 x 170 mm). Photographic frontispiece, title printed in red and black, decorative head- and tailpieces, annotated by Alcott on final page; minor toning to photograph. Original full brown cloth over bevelled boards, covers ruled in blind, upper cover gilt lettered, brown coated endpapers, front free endpaper inscribed by Alcott, edges stained red; minor rubbing to head and tail of spine and corners. 

First edition, presentation copy inscribed “Mrs. L. Tuckerman | from her friend |A.A.”

This essay was composed as a birthday tribute to Emerson, and apparently only 50 copies were printed for private circulation. Alcott was a teacher, philosopher, and reformer, who pioneered new ways of interacting with young students, to include focusing on a conversation, and avoiding traditional methods of punishment. He was also an abolitionist and an advocate for women's rights. Given such progressive, holistic philosophies, it is perhaps unsurprising that in 1836 he became a member of the Transcendental Club. This affiliation put him in company with Ralph Waldo Emerson, who urged Alcott to move to Concord. Emerson remained a great supporter of Alcott's throughout his life, frequently offering his professional and financial support. Alcott became an integral member of the Concord Transcendentalist community, and even let Henry David Thoreau borrow his axe to prepare his home at Walden Pond. 

This copy is likely inscribed to Laura Tuckerman, wife of the American painter Stephen Salisbury Tuckerman, who instructed Alcott's youngest daughter, May. 

REFERENCES

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