1891-96 Assorted Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson

Description

Fine Binding, Pleasing Copy, Rebound, Scarce

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an American essayist, philosopher and abolitionist, and especially prominent in the transcendentalist movement. His essays were first written to be lectures. This collection includes 'Representative Men', lectures written about men deemed by Emerson to be great, including Plato, Napoleon and Shakespeare, 'The Conduct of Life', which asks the question 'how shall I live?', and 'Essays', which concern transcendentalism. Volume II contains 'Letters and Social Aims'. Volume IV comprises 'Conduct of Life' and 'Society and Solitude'. Volume V contains 'English Traits' and 'Representative Men'. Volume VI contains 'Essays'. In a marvellous full calf binding by John Bumpus, with lovely gilt spines, borders and edges, with the name 'Helen' gilded on the front of each cover. Gift binding, with inscription that reads 'Helen, from Francis, Datchet, Aug 11. 1897'. Probably a gift from Sir Francis Younghusband (1863-1942) to his bride, Helen Augusta Magniac, who were married on that date at Datchet, in Windsor. Francis was an explorer noted for travels in the Far East and Central Asia, in particular an expedition to Tibet in 1904; he was also President of the Royal Geographical Society.