Hawthorne, Nathaniel (1804-1864),His Copy

Description:

Hawthorne, Nathaniel (1804-1864),His Copy, Sallustius Crispus, Caius (86-34 B.C.),Belli Catilinarii et Jugurthini Historiae, Salem, 1805, both front free endpapers signed approximately ten times "Nathaniel Hathorne," once dated Salem 1821, twice Salem 1826, also with red inked stamp "N.HATHORNE," the rear free endpaper with doodled signatures, both pastedowns and first front endpaper with pencil doodles and notes, possibly also in Hawthorne's hand, calf, 8vo, (bumped, spine headers lacking, losses to calf at rear gutter, soiling/browning to endpapers, scattered foxing and soiling, front endpaper loose),sold with a duck bag with three bone buttons at top, with large inked signature "Mr. Nath'l Hathorne, Brunswick, Maine," over smaller signature "N Hathorne, Brunswick," possibly also in Hawthorne's hand, bag lg. 19, wd. 12 1/2 in., (minor age wear and soiling, small hole in center at the central B in Brunswick).

Note: Nathaniel Hawthorne's great-great grandfather was a judge involved in the notorious Salem, Massachusetts, Witch Trials. Nathaniel attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine from 1821-25. It is believed that shortly after his graduation from Bowdoin, young Hawthorne discovered this unsavory element of his ancestor's history, and chose to include a W in the spelling of his last name from then onward.

Provenance: By descent through the family of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Estimate $2,000-3,000

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