Herman Melville, 1856

MELVILLE, Herman (1819-1891). The Piazza Tales. New York: Dix & Edwards, 1856.

The Goelet-Groves copy of the first edition, with the first appearance in book form of "Bartleby, the Scrivener," and others. From 1853-1856, Herman Melville tried to reach the larger audience represented by publications like Harper's and Putnam's Monthly. He wrote some of his best work for the magazine industry including important tales like "Bartleby, the Scrivener," "Benito Cereno," "The Encantadas," and "The Piazza," all collected here. BAL 13669.

Octavo. 7 pp. ads at rear (minor offsetting from gift inscription to title). Original blue cloth ruled in blind, publisher's monogram on both covers, spine stamped in gilt, yellow endpapers (minor rubbing). Custom quarter morocco box. Provenance: A. Turnbull's Book, Stationery & Music Store, Union Square (blindstamp to front endpaper) – Ogden Goelet, American real estate heir, businessman, and yachtsman, 1851-1897 (gift inscription from his Aunt Jane) – John Stuart Groves (1881-1958; bookplate).