A Yankee in Canada – Henry David Thoreau – 1866 | anti-Slavery First Edition

A Yankee in Canada by Henry David Thoreau reflects his skepticism about Canadian political structures as seen during a brief journey across the border. The book also includes Thoreau’s controversial views on slavery, most notably his support for and defense of the use of violence when it comes to anti-slavery raids and protests. The true value of this book lies in the second half in the series of 11 essays called “Anti-Slavery and Reform Papers.” They include a plea for John Brown, an essay on Wendell Phillips address to the Lyceum Society in Concord, and most importantly the first public printing of his essay “Civil Disobedience”.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Yankee in Canada
• Author(s): Henry David Thoreau
• Publisher: Boston, Ticknor and Fields
• Edition: First edition, 1866
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Binding: Green cloth, gilt title on spine
• Size:  7.5 in x 4.75 in (18.5 cm x 12 cm)
• Collation: [4], 286 pp
• Illustrations:
• Contents Include:
  • A Yankee in Canada
  • Anti-slavery and Reform Papers
  • Civil Disobedience
  • A Plea for John Brown
  • Political writings
• Reference(s): BAL 20117

Condition:

Good. Green cloth shows rubbing at hinges. Spine gilt is complete. Text-block is intact with slight hinge movement. Numerous pages show moderate water-staining, though all remain legible.

Why Collect This?

• True first edition
• Thoreau’s controversial political writings including pro-violent protests
• Appeals to collectors of 19th-century American dissension

Item Number: # 28927