Description:
Thoreau, Henry David (1817-1862) Plan of that Part of Thomas Brooks' Woodlot, in Lincoln, Mass, which was burned over in the fall of 1857, June 5, 1858. Very large signed survey in Thoreau's hand in brown ink, finished in watercolors, mainly two tones of green, with the "place where the fire was set" painted in red, with neighbors noted: George B. Rice, John Nelson, Abel Wheeler, Albert Brooks, with paths and other features noted, including the path to the house, fences, ditches, meadows, stone walls, and cultivated land; heavy wove paper, formerly rolled, 22 x 15 in.
[Together with] a small ink sketch for the same plan, covering a larger area, with different notations, i.e.: small growth of maples, still standing; brush, brakes, briers, grass, &c. unmown; space 5 to 15 feet cleared to prevent the spreading of the fire this way; smooth mowing; tract of fire; and other notes; 10 1/4 x 8 1/2 in.
The area in question is likely in the northern part of Lincoln, along present-day Route 2A.
Estimate $5,000-7,000
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Keywords
John Nelson, Albert Brooks, Thomas Brooks, Abel Wheeler, George B. Rice, LincolnJohn Dorfman
Director, Books & Manuscripts
508-970-3293
Fine Books & Manuscripts
The Fine Books & Manuscripts department delivers scholarship, expertise, and attention to detail in appraisals, evaluations, and auctions of rare books and historically important material ranging from medieval manuscripts to presidential documents.