Hough, Romeyn B.  The AMERICAN WOODS, exhibited by actual specimens and with Copious Explanatory Text. PART I. Representing Twenty-Five Species by Twenty-Seven Sets of Sections.  Lowville, N.Y.: Published and sections prepared by the author, 1888.
 
Green cloth slipcase containing cloth-covered folio. Within the folio is a booklet and 27 cards with each card having three sectional pieces of wood. The slipcase has gilt lettering to spine, blindstamped title to front panel, List of the Woods Represented in Part I printed on rear panel, rivets holding the sides in place covered with marbled paper and a metal clasp.  Folio also has blindstamped title to front, explanatory text pasted inside each cover and loose cards. The explanatory booklet is in wraps, perfect bound, with vii, 79 pp. Each card has three cross sectioned pieces of mounted actual wood (showing transverse, radial and tangential sections for a type of wood) inside gilt frames and with gilt text. The first issue of Part I, with 1888 date on title and copyright pages and with Preface dated March 30, 1888.  7" x 10"; Slipcase somewhat rubbed/soiled, lacks strap for closure. Booklet has some staining of the upper right margin on the front cover and first few pages, some pages are creased. Cross sections are generally very well preserved, though with a few splits observed. Laid in to the book is an 1898 letter offering this book along with a calling card.  Very Good.  First Edition. (#5571).     $600.00 
 
Hough's American Woods would eventually grow to encompass 14 volumes, the last one produced by his daughter after his death in 1924.