NP, learned while not trying...on Emerson's "Nature",

[Mark Kohut]

his so-influential first book, the ommiscient eyeball of society image lifted
from it by TRP in Against the Day, free online now had a first printing

of 500 copies in 1836.....with a few still to sell in 1845 when the second 
printing was scheduled.

500. 9 years. 55 a year. NOT a bestseller, not close. 
Moby Dick. 50 copies sold first year.

Scarlet Letter, there was a bestseller. Sex always sells.