[EMERSON, Ralph Waldo (1803-1882), THOREAU, Henry David (1817-1862), FULLER, Margaret (1810-1850), et al., contributors]. The Dial: A Magazine for Literature, Philosophy, and Religion. Boston: Weeks, Jordan and Company, 1841-1843. 8vos. Bound volumes of Volumes I, II, and III (out of four) of this landmark Trancendentalist and literary magazine. 12 issues (out of 16) of the first run (this magazine had various incarnations; this run is from the first incarnation). Volume I: vi, [1]-544 pp. Volume II: vi, [1]-544 pp; Volume III: iv, [1]-548 pp. This lot comes with an individual issue (Vol. II, No. II, No. VI overall) in the original printed wrappers (this issue is duplicated within Volume II). Volumes I and II in contemporary half calf over marbled boards, both rebacked in later olive-green cloth backstrips, lettered in gilt (library bindings). Volume III in a modern library binding of full brown cloth, spine lettered in gilt (slightly smaller in stature than Volumes I and II). This run contains issues Volume I, No. 1 through Volume III, No. IV, inclusive. THE RARE FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF THIS IMPORTANT TRANSCENDALIST JOURNAL, WITH SOME OF THE EARLIEST PRINTED APPEARANCES OF HENRY DAVID THOREAU.

The Dial was first issued in July 1840 (the bound title-pages are dated a year after the issues are), and was a quarterly publication. Margaret Fuller was the editor of the first eight issues, with Emerson taking on editing duties for the final eight issues of this first run (which ceased in 1844). Some of Thoreau's appearances include: "Sympathy" (pp. 71-72 in Volume I, his second printed appearance, signed "T"), "Aulus Persius Flaccus" (pp. 117-121 in Volume I, his third printed appearance", signed "T"), "Stanzas" (p. 314 in Volume I, his fourth printed appearance, signed "D. H. T."[sic]), "Sic Vita" (p. 81-82 in Volume II, his fifth printed appearance, signed "H. D. T."), "Friendship" (p. 204-205 in Volume II, his sixth printed appearance, signed "H. D. T."), and others. Other contributors included Emerson, James Russell Lowell, and Theodore Parker. 

Bindings of Volumes I and II worn, scuffed, with library markings throughout (including inkstamps on title-pages) as well as bookplates of The University of Rochester Library on all fps. Text generally lightly toned, with occasional soiling, pencil markings, creasing, thumbsoiling. A few gutters cracking. In Volume I, pp. v-6 are partially or completely loose (yet present). Wrappered issue has loose wrappers, wear, toning, soiling, spine partially perished, text generally toned, soiled, binding lightly shaken. Set is generally good.