Inscribed by Thomas Melville to a friend

MELVILLE FAMILY – HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel (1804-1864). Life of Franklin Pierce. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, 1852.

The first edition of Hawthorne's work, inscribed by Herman Melville’s younger brother. The choice of Thomas's gift underscores the important link between the Hawthorne and Melville families during their overlapping time in the Berkshires in the early 1850s; see also lot 544 in this sale. The present copy is inscribed on a rear endpaper: “To Thomas Bishop / from his friend / Thomas Melville.” BAL 7612.

Octavo. Engraved portrait frontispiece and inserted catalogue dated September 1852 (some foxing internally, most prevalent in the preliminaries). Original black cloth (slight lean, a couple minor chips at spine, a little wear at corners). Provenance: Thomas Bishop (inscription).