This book is titled "Cape Cod", written by Henry David Thoreau, one of America's great writers and essayists. The book is in the original green pebbled cloth, with gilt lettering and gilt decorations on the spine, the covers are blindstamped with a wreath, there are brownish endpapers, a list of Mr. Thoreau's Writings preceding the title page, the title page says the book was published in Boston by Ticknor and Field in 1865, the copyright page is dated 1864, followed by a Contents page, 252 pages of text, and 24 pages of ads for books published by Ticknor and Fields at the rear. The book is in the rare green binding, according to BAL - binding A - and the 252 pages of text and the 24 pages of ads at the rear which are dated December 1864 make this a first edition, first printing, according to BAL, and BAL says there were only 2040 copies of this first edition printed. There are other binding colors, but they are not binding A. See BAL 20115. The spine also reads "Author of Walden and A Week on Concord River" below Thoreau's name on the spine, and "Walden" was probably Thoreau's most famous book. For those who don't know, Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862) was an American author, naturalist, abolitionist, and philosopher, best known for his poems and essays. His writings often combined themes of nature and philosophy. This book contains Thoreau's written observations of nature and his thoughts while he was beach combing and walking along on Cape Cod, a meditative account reflecting on the elemental forces of the sea. The book is 8vo. and measures 7 3/8 x 5 in. wide, with a tight binding and rather clean pages and text, the spine has loss and wear at the bottom, there 's a touch of a white mark in the edge of the front cover and a small spot on the back cover and at one tip, and two tips are ever so slightly turned in. Aside from the blemish on the spine, an attractive copy of the first edition, first printing by Thoreau. #20 #7037