Hawthorne’s copy

[HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel (1804-1864).] – MUDIE, Robert. The Natural History of Birds. London: Orr and Smith, 1834.

Hawthorne’s copy of a popular guide to birds. Signed by him on the front free endpaper. Laid in are two printed leaves with poetry by Sir Walter Scott. Hawthorne wrote a beautiful essay in homage to springtime entitled "Buds and Bird Voices." It was first published in June of 1843 and later collected in Mosses from an Old Manse. Of the small song birds like the ones who built their nests in the eaves of the Old Manse itself, he wrote: "Their outburst of melody is like a brook let loose from wintry chains."

12mo (148 x 94mm). Hand-colored frontispiece; text illustrations (title and frontispiece foxed). Original blind-stamped roan, all edges gilt (rebacked with original spine laid down, endpapers rehinged); modern slipcase. Provenance: Nathaniel Hawthorne (ownership signature "Nath. Hawthorne" on front free endpaper).