HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel. Tanglewood Tales. For Boys and Girls; Being a Second Wonder-Book. With Fine Illustrations. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, 1853. 12mo, 8 advts 336pp. Brown cloth with spine stamped decoratively in gilt and front and rear stamped decoratively in blind. 8 full-page b&w illustrations. Lower spine ends a bit worn, other edges slightly rubbed, spine sunned; covers lightly discolored with some apparent staining, half-inch scratch to center-right of rear cover, some internal foxing, bookplate on front fixed endpaper. Nonetheless, a desirable, copy of this rare Amercian classic housed in custom-made cloth jacket and slipcase.

First edition, first state, bearing the "A" state of ads as described in BAL 7614 and PPP p.10. Nathaniel Hawthorne's second book retelling some of the most well-known Greek myths and stories for young children, including the stories of Theseus and the Minotaur, Jason and the Argonauts, and the tale of Hades and Persephone. One of the first great works of American children's literature.