Herman Melville, 1851

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

First American edition, first binding, of Melville's masterpiece. The American edition contained some thirty-five passages not present in the English edition, which had preceded it by a month. The printed dedication to the 1851 whaling novel memorably reads: "In token of my admiration for his genius, this book is inscribed to Nathaniel Hawthorne." This copy is in the first binding with publisher's circular device and a heavy rule frame on both covers. BAL 13664 (binding A); Grolier American 60.

Octavo (186 x 120mm). 6 pp. of adverts at rear (some spotting, as usual). Original black cloth, publisher's circular device at center, dark orange coated endpapers (rebacked with original spine laid down, a little scuffing and wear to covers). Custom box.