- 117
Melville, Herman.
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Moby-Dick; or, the Whale. New York: Harper & Brothers and London: Richard Bentley, 1851
- paper
12mo (189 x 128mm.), first edition, first binding (with the publisher's device stamped on the covers), 6-page publisher's advertisement at end, publisher's green cloth, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, covers stamped in blind, orange-coated endpapers, half green morocco folding-case, "Nov-1851" inscribed on title in a contemporary hand, very light foxing scattered throughout, gilt-lettering on spine lightly rubbed, minor wear and soiling to binding
Literature
BAL 13664; Grolier American 60; Sadleir, Excursions 229
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A near fine copy of the first American edition of Melville's great prose epic. The exact number of copies published is not known, but it was not a successful venture. In 1853 a major fire destroyed Harper & Brothers and with it some 297 copies of this volume; about sixty copies survived the fire.