"EVERY THING LOOKS PERMANENT UNTIL ITS SECRET IS KNOWN" EMERSON, RALPH WALDO. Essays. Half-title. 8vo, publisher's purple cloth (BAL Binding "E") decoratively blind-stamped, gilt-stamped title on spine, spine faded slightly, few small soil marks to covers; small corner tear to first blank, endpapers with usual discoloration, preserved in chemise and cloth slipcase with morocco label, by Macdonald. first edition, first issue. A tight, square copy. BAL 5189. Boston: James Munroe & Co., 1841