Vintage 1968 Cape Cod by Henry David Thoreau | Heritage Press Hardcover with Slipcase & Sandglass

A beautiful vintage Heritage Press edition of Cape Cod by Henry David Thoreau, published in 1968 and featuring an introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch with illustrations by R. J. Holden.

This is a particularly charming copy because it includes the original illustrated hardcover, matching slipcase, and Heritage Club Sandglass newsletter. The book itself has a wonderful mid-century fine-book character, with a pale illustrated cloth-style binding, decorative black-and-white artwork, illustrated endpapers, and a vintage Cape Cod map.

The title page identifies The Heritage Press, New York, while the copyright page specifically states that the special contents of this edition are copyright © 1968 by The George Macy Companies, Inc. The Heritage Press was part of the George Macy publishing tradition and produced more accessible editions of beautifully designed classics.

This is a lovely piece for a collector of Thoreau, American literature, Cape Cod history, Heritage Press books, vintage illustrated books, or classic New England Americana.

Details

• Title: Cape Cod
• Author: Henry David Thoreau
• Introduction: Joseph Wood Krutch
• Illustrations: R. J. Holden
• Publisher: The Heritage Press
• Publisher Location: New York
• Publication Date: 1968
• Copyright Date: © 1968, The George Macy Companies, Inc.
• Format: Hardcover
• Binding: Illustrated cloth-style hardcover
• Language: English
• Illustrations: Black-and-white illustrations throughout
• Endpapers: Illustrated/map-style endpapers featuring Cape Cod
• Slipcase: Original illustrated/matching slipcase included
• Sandglass: Original Heritage Club Sandglass No. 134 included
• Contents: Includes introduction and ten chapters covering Thoreau's Cape Cod travels and observations
• Page count: Approximately 216 pages
• Country of origin: United States 

The 1968 edition is documented in the secondary book market as a Heritage Press publication with R. J. Holden's illustrations. A related Limited Editions Club version was produced the same year by the Anthoensen Press, but this photographed copy is the Heritage Press edition, not the numbered 1,500-copy Limited Editions Club issue. 

Condition: Good vintage pre-owned condition with noticeable wear to the slipcase.

The book itself presents nicely for its age. The illustrated binding remains attractive, the interior appears clean and intact in the photographed pages, and the decorative artwork and map endpapers are especially well preserved.

The original slipcase shows more substantial age-related wear, including:

• Edge and corner rubbing
• Scuffing and discoloration
• Surface wear
• Areas of wear/loss along the edges
• General handling/storage marks consistent with age

The book also shows some expected vintage wear, including light rubbing and age-related toning.

The original Sandglass newsletter is present, which is a nice bonus for collectors of Heritage Press editions.

Please note that this is a 1968 vintage book, so it should not be expected to have the pristine appearance of a modern or newly manufactured volume.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the condition description.

Styling: This one is absolutely made for old-library, New England, coastal Americana, and classic literary styling.

The combination of the illustrated binding, Cape Cod imagery, vintage map, and original slipcase makes it especially attractive displayed:

• On a traditional bookshelf
• In a study or reading room
• In a coastal New England-inspired interior
• Alongside vintage nautical or maritime books
• In a Cape Cod vacation home
• In a dark-academia or old-library collection
• As part of an American literature collection
• On a coffee table or writing desk
• With vintage maps, brass décor, or nautical collectibles

The illustrated cover gives it considerably more visual interest than an ordinary vintage hardcover.

This is also a particularly nice gift for a Thoreau reader, Cape Cod enthusiast, book collector, or lover of beautifully produced mid-century books.

Shipping: The book and original slipcase will be packaged carefully, with particular attention paid to protecting the older slipcase corners and edges during transit.

The Sandglass newsletter will also be protected so it does not become bent or damaged during shipping.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout and are paid by the buyer.

 Once this Ugly Duckling finds its new home, it's gone.