Complete Works and Journals (Centenary Manuscript Edition with His Complete Works

Cambridge 1903--1909: Riverside Press. Limited Editions. Octavo. In 22 volumes. Illustrated throughout with striking photogravures. The 12 volumes of the Centenary edition of Emerson's Complete Works are limited to 600 copies signed by the publisher and with one of Emerson's 2 page manuscript bound in. The present set is number 78. The 10 volume large paper edition of The Journals is also limited to 600 copies. The present set is number 74. Both sets are unopened. The Journals were postponed until The Centenary Edition was published. In the introduction, Houghton, Mifflin, and Co. asked whether Mr. Emerson's Journals could be published, following the annotated edition of his Complete Works which they were to bring out in honor of his birth which was quickly approaching. Emerson had made Mr. James Cabot his literary executor, trusting his good judgment and taste. After a little consideration he finally said yes as he agreed, many people would love to read Emerson's first record of his thoughts and trace the growth of his powers of expression in prose or rhyme, and expansion of his mind during the more than fifty years the Journals cover. Emerson kept Journals from the time he was 17. Cabot died before the edition was published. Emerson's Complete works is bound in ¾ green crushed Morocco over green marbled paper covered boards with matching endpapers, spines lettered and fully decorated in gilt, top edge gilt. The Complete Works is bound in ¾ brown crushed Morocco over green marbled paper covered boards with matching endpapers, spines lettered and fully decorated in gilt, top edges gilt. This is a fine set, as mentioned unopened which means they were never read. There are no chips, cracks, names or bookplates. Simply a beautiful set.