MELVILLE, Herman (1819-1891). Moby-Dick; or, the Whale. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851.

MELVILLE, Herman (1819-1891). Moby-Dick; or, the Whale. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851.

A lovely copy of the first American edition, first binding. The American edition of Melville's 1851 whaling novel contained some thirty-five passages not present in the English edition, which had preceded it by a month. This copy is in the desirable blue variant binding. 2019 is the bicentennial of Melville's birth: he was born on 1 August 1819 in New York City. BAL 13664; Grolier American 60; Johnson High Spots 57.

Octavo (120 x 187mm). Six-page publisher's advertisement at end (some foxing throughout). Original blue cloth, publisher's device at center of each cover, white endpapers, single flyleaf at front, double flyleaf at back (splitting to upper joint, light wear to spine ends and corners, light darkening to spine); quarter morocco slipcase. Provenance: John B. Munro (early ink signature on front free endpaper) – Christie's, 5 December 2006, Lot 43.