Monumentally important and influential American author, philosopher, and naturalist (1817–1862) whose Walden, Civil Disobedience, and multi-volume Journal take a place among the central texts of the Transcendentalist movement and of 19th-century literature as a whole. Unsigned handwritten manuscript, one page, 7.5 x 9.5, a partial entry from his famed Journal, no date [October 17, 1858]. Thoreau writes on autumn foliage in an entry that was ultimately published under the heading “Up Assabet [River].” In full: “As late as the 17th some years, you may see some late red maples unexpectedly as fair and bright as ever, either scarlet or yellow. They are apparently such as grow in cool and shady places. There is no brighter and purer scarlet, often running into crimson, and no softer and clearer yellows than theirs is now, though the greater part of this species have now lost their leaves. Those fires which we thought dulled, if not yet put out, a week ago, seem to have burst forth again. This accounts for those trees which were seen to be green while all around them were scarlet. They but awaited their time. They were not so easily affected. They were reserved to bringing up the rear.” The reverse is addressed in another hand to “David H. Thoreau, Concord, Mass.” The sheet is inlaid to a slightly larger off-white sheet. Originally offered by Christie’s and accompanied by a copy of the catalog entry. In fine condition, with intersecting folds (a few small separations), staple hole to each side, and a small stain below text. A vivid and important relic from this canonic work! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA .
