MELVILLE, Herman (1819-1891). Moby-Dick; or, The Whale. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851.
8vo (175 x 114 mm). Full crushed brown morocco gilt, the covers depict a whale hunting scene in white morocco onlays and gilt outlining, the three-masted Pequod lies in the distance on the lower cover as the crew launches a rowboat to hunt the white whale on the upper cover, spine in 6 compartments with raised bands, gilt-lettering in 2, anchor centerpieces in others, edges gilt, decorative endpapers, GILT STAMP-SIGNED BY SANGORSKI & SUTCLIFFE. Provenance: John H. Colby (contemporary ownership signature on title-page).
FIRST AMERICAN EDITION, following the 3–volume English edition by a month and contains thirty–five passages not present in that edition. In Grolier’s One Hundred Influential American Books, Melville’s great novel can best be described as containing “the sounds and scents, the very flavor, of the maritime life of our whaling ancestors” and in Johnson’s High Spots a “masterpiece” after rising from semi–obscurity in the 20th century.
IN A UNIQUE AND SUMPTUOUS BINDING by one of the most important bookbinding companies of the 20th century known for their luxurious bindings and master craftsmanship. BAL 13664; Grolier American 60; Johnson’s American First Editions p. 247; Johnson, High Spots of American Literature, p. 57.