Search Results: First Editions by herman melville

New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1846. First edition of Melville's first book and his most popular during his lifetime. Octavo, two volumes bound into one in the original cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine, frontispiece map, both half-titles and 6 pages of publisher's advertisements at rear. BAL 13653. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper one month after publication, "Captain Ball, With the respects of the author, Westport April 18th 1846." The recipient, Captain Charles Ball was captain of the whaling ship Theophilus Chase, on which Thomas Melville, the author's youngest brother, set sail for the first time at the age of sixteen. Thomas's decision to follow in his older brother's footsteps was likely due to hearing Herman's stories of his time at sea which began in 1841 with his voyage aboard the whaling ship the Acushnet. Thomas set sail aboard the Theophilus Chase on March, 18 1846 for the South Atlantic from Westport but was homeward bound by April,… Read More

New York: Harper & Brothers,, 1851. His masterpiece, in the original cloth First US edition of Melville's greatest work, in the first issue binding (BAL's "A" state, with the publisher's device on the covers and orange endpapers), a very smart copy notably free from any of the usual foxing. The US edition was the first to appear under the familiar title and contains 35 passages and the epilogue omitted from the slightly earlier British edition. Moby-Dick was originally issued in London earlier the same year, set from the New York sheets and titled The Whale. Now universally acclaimed, at the time the novel was a "complete practical failure, misunderstood by the critics and ignored by the public; and in 1853 the Harpers' fire destroyed the plates of all his books and most of the copies remaining in stock" (DAB, vol. 12, p. 523). Copies in first issue bindings appear in black, blue, grey, green, purple-brown, red, and slate-coloured cloth, without any priority. As Sadleir notes, it was the custom of… Read More

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851. First edition, first issue binding, with the circular Harper's device of Melville's masterpiece. Octavo, original purple-brown cloth (BAL's A grain), covers stamped in blind with the publisher's circular device at the center within a heavy blind rule frame, original orange-coated endpapers. Of the 2,951 copies printed, 125 were review copies. About 1,500 sold in 11 days, but then sales slowed to less than 300 the next year. After two years copies of the first edition were still available, and almost 300 were destroyed in the 1853 fire of Harper's warehouse. In near fine condition with some of the usual light foxing and light shelfwear to the spine tips. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A completely unrestored example of this cornerstone. A superior example.

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851. First American Edition; preceded slightly by the English edition, although this edition has numerous additions to that text. Publisher’s green cloth; stamped in gilt and in blind; first binding, although this cataloguer has never seen either of the later two bindings in the wild. Some fading and wear; foxed (as seems inevitable); faded contemporary owner’s inscription on the front free endpaper; bookplate of author and collector Carolyn Wells. The final 50 or so leaves are marginally waterstained at the lower corners, far from any text; bottom corners of the three advertising leaves slightly chipped, likewise not near any printing. Overall, a good copy of a book often found repaired, rebacked, restored or otherwise suffering from previous owners’ good or bad intentions. In a custom quarter-morocco clamshell box (corners frayed).

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1851. FIRST EDITION of one of the greatest and most important literary works in the American oeuvre. The American edition contains thirty-five passages and the "Epilogue" omitted from the English edition published as THE WHALE. 8vo, in the publisher's ORIGINAL FIRST STATE BINDING of green/gray cloth, both boards stamped in blind with ruled frame and the Harper and Brothers' circular device at the center, the spine gilt lettered and with gilt banding at the head and tail, the endpapers coated orange. Now protectively housed in a handsome folding cloth-covered case backed in dark chocolate morocco with blind-ruled bands and gilt lettering. xxiii, 635, [6 ads] pp. A rare example in that the book is in fully original state. Most copies seen nowadays are either rebound or show evidence of restoration. Internally the foxing, always present in the book due to the materials used, is much lighter in tone then typically found and appears in most places more like gentle… Read More

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851. First American edition. 1 vols. 8vo. Publisher's red cloth, cover bordered in blind and with central Harper & Brother's circular stamp in blind, spine lettered in gilt. First American edition. 1 vols. 8vo. Melville's Masterpiece, in Red Cloth. First American edition of the greatest American novel. This edition was technically preceded by the extremely rare English edition (Richard Bentley) two months earlier, but textually this is the far more important of the two, having been printed from Melville's manuscript, whereas the Bentley edition was set up from the sheets of the American edition. Furthermore, for political or editorial reasons, Bentley made some thirty-five unauthorized deletions from the original, and the American edition remains the standard text, never having been further revised. Printed on cheap wood-pulp paper and in one bulky volume, Moby Dick rarely survives without foxing, and is generally found chipped and shaken. "[Melville's] great book,… Read More

Chicago: The Lakeside Press, 1930. First edition thus. Near Fine/Near Fine. One of 1000 copies of Kent's illustration masterwork. Inscribed by Kent on the front endpaper: "To Joe Sinel: Skaal! Rockwell Kent". Accompanying the inscription is a small sketch of Sinel riding on the back of Moby Dick, filling a champagne glass from the whale's spout. Joseph Sinel is credited as the father of American Industrial Design. Originally from New Zealand, Sinel had a lengthy career in art, advertising, and design. As a book designer and illustrator in his own right, the sense that Kent and Sinel shared a mutual respect and admiration is evident. Kent's playful sketch of Moby Dick shows a more humorous side of the illustrator. The three volumes are Near Fine overall, very slightly faded on the spines and lacking the glassine jackets, but otherwise in excellent condition overall. Housed in the original aluminum slipcase, which is also Near Fine with a few minor scratches and some felt attached to the lower side… Read More

London: Bombay, Sydney, Constable and Company Ltd,, 1922-4. A handsome set of this major edition The Standard Edition, number 23 of 750 sets only, signed by the publisher as issued, and rarely encountered in a contemporary binding in such nice condition, given the episodic nature of the publication. The Standard Edition comprises all of Melville's major works, including the first edition of the novella Billy Budd, which was discovered in manuscript among Melville's papers in 1924. 16 volumes, octavo (222 x 143 mm). Contemporary blue half morocco, spines lettered in gilt with nautical motifs, blue watered silk sides, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. A fine set.

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851. Hardcover. Small 8vo. Original pebble-grained red cloth with gilt spine lettering and blind-embossed rules and front board publisher's device. xxiii, 635pp, (6pp ads). Good plus. Internally a sound "Very good," as it's internally tight and unrestored, showing only mild sporadic age toning and occasional light foxing; binding is sound and decent, with exposed tips; somewhat rough spine has had 1" X 1" excision archivally and discretely restored and chipped spine head and tail archivally rebuilt (see images); pencilled 1852 ownership signature on inner flyleaf. A tight, presentable and quite handleable first U.S. edition, first issue, of this giant of 19th century literature. One of only 3000 U.S. copies, the American edition -- preceded by the 2-volume English version one month prior -- met with little fanfare, and supposedly many unsold copies were destroyed in an 1854 warehouse fire. Original terra cotta endpapers. Despite wear this is a respectable copy,… Read More

c. 1855. American novelist and short story writer Herman Melville remains best-known for his masterpiece Moby-Dick, the story of Captain Ahab on his quest for revenge against the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg at the knee. Although it is now recognized as one of the great American novels, its popularity during Melville's lifetime paled in comparison to his first novel, Typee, based on his exploits in Tahiti after jumping ship in the Marquesas Islands aboard the whaler Acushnet. Melville began writing Moby-Dick in February 1850 and finished 18 months later, a year after he had anticipated. Melville drew on his experience as a common sailor from 1841 to 1844, including on whalers, and on wide reading in whaling literature. The detailed and realistic descriptions of whale hunting and of extracting whale oil, as well as life aboard ship among a culturally diverse crew, are mixed with exploration of class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God.

American novelist and short story writer Herman Melville remains best-known for his masterpiece Moby-Dick, the story of Captain Ahab on his quest for revenge against the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg at the knee. Although it is now recognized as one of the great American novels, its popularity during Melville's lifetime paled in comparison to his first novel, Typee, based on his exploits in Tahiti after jumping ship in the Marquesas Islands aboard the whaler Acushnet. Melville began writing Moby-Dick in February 1850 and finished 18 months later, a year after he had anticipated. Melville drew on his experience as a common sailor from 1841 to 1844, including on whalers, and on wide reading in whaling literature. The detailed and realistic descriptions of whale hunting and of extracting whale oil, as well as life aboard ship among a culturally diverse crew, are mixed with exploration of class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God.

New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1847. First edition of this classic Melville work Omoo, the Martin-Manney copy in the rare original wrappers. Octavo, two volumes, original wrappers. Volume 1 with half-title, title-page printed in black and red, and frontispiece map of the Marquesas and Tahiti. Volume 2 with advertisements at rear paginated [xv]-xxiii, [1]-16 (light staining to prelims, lower corner clipped from endpaper in volume 2). Original printed wrappers (wrappers darkened and rubbed; part 1 backstrip restored with part of title in facsimile; part 2 with abrasion to rear cover deleting some of the text). Provenance: "Appleton" (ownership inscription to inside front cover of part II) H. Bradley Martin (his sale, Sotheby's New York, 30 January 1990, lot 2145); Richard Manney (his sale, Sotheby's New York, 11 October 1991, lot 223). Housed in a custom clamshell box. Rare with RBH records only two other copies selling at auction. BAL 13656.

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851. [5], vi-xxiii, [2], 2-634pp, [8]. Original blue-green cloth, title, author and publisher in gilt to spine with publisher's circular blind stamp to centre of covers, orange endpapers. Rebacked, with original back strip laid down, gilt to spine has largely been retouched (ie. bands to head, title, and author). Back strip lightly stained. Internally lightly browned and lightly foxed throughout, but nothing too obtrusive. Housed in a very good morocco backed drop back box, made by Asprey & Garrard. BAL 13664 (noting a variety of cloth and endpaper colours). First Edition. Hardback. Good. 8vo.

London: Constable and Company Ltd,, 1922-24. Includes the first edition of Billy Budd The standard edition, limited to 750 copies. The Standard Edition was published episodically, and includes, among other pieces, the first edition of the novella Billy Budd, which was discovered in manuscript among Melville's papers that year. 16 volumes, octavo. Attractively bound in recent in full blue morocco, double red morocco labels, spines with gilt ship motifs in compartments, gilt rules to spines and sides, top edges gilt, others uncut. Title pages printed in blue and black. A fine set.

Saint-Paul, A.-M: Les Cahiers du Contadour, 1939. First edition in French, one of a very few copies printed. With headpiece after woodcut by Alexandre Noll and two plates. 512, [4], xx pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Nut brown half morocco with gilt decorative paper sides, spine gilt, t.e.g., wrappers preserved, by Devauchelle. Textblock lightly toned, else fine. First edition in French, one of a very few copies printed. With headpiece after woodcut by Alexandre Noll and two plates. 512, [4], xx pp. 1 vols. 8vo. 'Je m'appelle Ishmaèl" - véritable édition originale de Moby Dick en français. The first notice of Moby Dick in French dates from the first volume of the Revue des Deux Mondes (1853) but Melville's vast novel was not translated into French until the 1930s. Jean Giono (1895-1970) was deeply influenced by American writers of the nineteenth century, starting with Whitman. "The second great American Giono discovered (in the 1930s) was Melville ... translating Melville was a labor of love - for years Giono… Read More

London: Constable and Co. Ltd,, 1922-24. The Standard Edition. Limited to 750 numbered sets signed on behalf of the publishers, of which this is number 250. Volume 13 contains the first edition of the novella Billy Budd, which was discovered in manuscript among Melville's papers in 1919 by Raymond M. Weaver, the author's first biographer. Original receipt of purchase, dated 1924, and publisher's promotional slip laid in to first volume. A beautiful set in the original cloth. 16 volumes, octavo. Original blue cloth, titles to spines gilt, boards and spines decorated with interlace pattern in blind, dark red coated endpapers, top edges gilt, others untrimmed. Small hairline crack to lower spine of Vol. 15 neatly repaired, a few spines very faintly sunned. A fine set in exceptionally bright cloth. BAL 13682-3 for Vols. 13 & 16.

London, Bombay, Sydney: Constable and Company Ltd, 1922-1924. The Standard Edition, complete. Limited to 750 sets, including the first publication of one of Melville's masterworks, the novella Billy Budd, which was discovered in manuscript among Melville's papers at the time. BAL 13680, noting that the volume containing The Confidence-Man also contains a bibliography of the first editions of Melville's prose works by Michael Sadleir. BAL entries also exist for individual volumes which include first editions: Billy Budd, BAL 13682, noting the contents which represent "pieces here first located in book form", including the title story, which was "never before published"; Poems: Battle-Pieces, John Marr and Other Sailors, Timoleon and Miscellaneous Poems, BAL 13683, noting that the "Author's Note", p. 162, "Miscellaneous Poems", pp. (297)-349, and "At the Hostelry", pp. (351)-434, first appear here in book form. Regarding the format of the Constable set, BAL specifies: "LP cloth: blue. Maroon-coated… Read More

London: Constable. 1922-24. Complete in 16 volumes. Original blue cloth. The shade of blue of several volumes is lighter than that of the others-a manufacturing difference. No. 511 of 750 sets with a notation below that is indiscernible. This set is important because it contains so many first printings (including the important Billy Budd and all of the poems except "Battle Pieces," "John Marr," and "Timoleon), a number of first book printings, and the First British Printing of Clarel. Previous owner's name in pencil in Vol. 16. All volumes Near Fine except Vol. 6, which has a slight bump and fading on the spine and is Very Good. . Near Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. 1922.

16 vols. London: Constable, 1922-24. 16 vols., 8vo, finely bound in full red hard-grain morocco extra (two volumes repaired) some volumes lightly rubbed along the joints but generally very good. Red morocco bookplate of Lucy Smith Battson in each volume. § A magnificent set of Melville's complete works; the first collected edition limited to 750 sets of which very few came in this de luxe binding. This is set #48. Vol. 12 includes a bibliography of the prose works by Michael Sadleir. Vol. 13 is the first printing of Billy Budd. BAL 13680.

London: Constable, 1922. First. hardcover. fine. 16 volumes. 8vo, publisher's original blue cloth with ornately blind-stamped covers and gilt-lettered spines; burgundy endpapers, uncut edges, top edges gilt. London: Constable & Company, 1922-1924. First Collected Edition.<br/><br/> The Standard Edition, limed to 750 sets signed by the publisher. Includes the first publication of Billy Budd, found posthumously in Conrad's papers. A fine solid set, with spines just a touch sunned.<br/><br/>