The American Woods, Exhibited by Actual Specimens and with Copious Explanatory Text

Title: The American Woods, Exhibited by Actual Specimens and with Copious Explanatory Text Author: Hough, Romeyn Place: Lowville, NY Publisher: Published by the Author Date: 1893-1911 Description: Parts I-X, XII & XIII only (of eventually 14). Each volume comprised of text booklet in wrappers, plus wood samples on card mounts, loose as issued. 302 (of 304) mounts, numbered 1-250, 276-325, with additional plates 7a, 7b, 26a & 62a. Lacking text booklets from volumes 3, 5, & 13 and lacking plates 124 and 228. Each mount displays three specimens from a species of tree in transverse, radial and tangential sections. 9x6". Card mounts housed in original blind-stamped brown cloth chemises, original blindstamped slipcases, all but 2 with clasps still present. Third edition of Part I, Second edition of Part II, First Edition others. One of the greatest American works on trees and woods, it is: “illustrated by actual specimens, and being in this way an exhibition of nature itself. It possesses a peculiar and great interest never found in a press-printed book” (Hough). Romeyn B. Hough prepared the samples himself and self-published the work. It provides a unique record of American wood types, arranged geographically. Several parts in this section cover California and the Pacific Slope. This is a tremendously important work for ecologists as well as connoisseurs of American furniture and antiques. Each specimen is about 2x4½” in size and cut thinly enough to be partially translucent. This set is rarely found complete, presumably because it was published over a span of 14 years. Lot Amendments Condition: Some light wear to cases, 2 lacking clasps, one volume with chip to chemise spine; cards a bit rippled, no samples lacking and with less cracking and chipping than often seen; very good. Item number: 246036