the Bradley Martin-Roosevelt copies

MELVILLE, Herman (1819-1891). Narrative of a Four Months’ Residence Among the Natives of a Valley of the Marquesas Islands; or, A Peep at Polynesian Life. London: John Murray, 1846. [And: ] Omoo: Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas. London: John Murray, 1847.

First editions, the Bradley Martin copies, with Omoo also from the library of Belle and Kermit Roosevelt. Second issue of Typee and the first edition of Omoo. Typee: BAL 13652, second issue, cloth, Binder’s Variant A. Omoo: BAL 13655, with State A of the signature mark on p. 209.

Two volumes, octavo. Each volume with one map and 16 pp. of ads at rear. Typee with half title. Original red cloth stamped in gilt (hinges a little tender, light rubbing, most evident at joints). Custom chemises and cloth slipcase. Provenance: Typee: H. Der Voux (ownership inscription to front cover) – endpapers with two other ownership inscriptions and a bookplate – H. Bradley Martin (bookplate, his sale, Sotheby's New York, Jan 30, 1990, lot 2147). Omoo: Belle and Kermit Roosevelt (ownership inscription dated July 1923, Paris) – H. Bradley Martin (bookplate, his sale, Sotheby's New York, Jan 30, 1990, lot 2146).