O.W. Holmes, 1858

HOLMES, Oliver Wendell, Sr. (1809-1894). The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co., 1858.

A pristine copy of the first edition, first printing and binding "A." With an autograph letter signed by the author laid in. This is a spectacular copy of Holmes's most enduring work, with BAL's first printing points and in the first binding with three fleurs-de-lis stamped on the spine and publisher's advertisements on the endpapers. The letter is dated from Boston, 21 March 1865, signed "O.W. Holmes," and concerns his subscription to the Historical Magazine, which "has often entertained and instructed" him, 2 pp recto and verso, integral blank. Also laid in is a manuscript account of Holmes' 1885 birthday celebration with a lengthy quotation from John Greenleaf Whittier as well as a newspaper printing version of same. BAL 8781.

Octavo. Engraved additional title and 8 plates. Title printed in red and black. Original brown cloth, advertisements printed on endpapers; modern quarter morocco slipcase. Provenance: Henry Tucker (neat contemporary ownership signature on front flyleaf).