MELVILLE, HERMAN | Marrative 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

The Property of a Gentleman

MELVILLE, HERMAN

Marrative 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

8vo (7 x 4 3/4 in.; 178 x 121 mm). 16-page March 1846 catalogue at back; a clean copy with occasional minor light foxing at edges. Publisher's blindstamped red cloth, spine lettered in gilt; spine slightly faded, some light soiling. Slipcase.  

First edition of Melville's first book, in the first publisher's cloth binding. The spine is incorrectly numbered "XV" in the Colonial and Home Library series. It was actually number XX. Copies with this misnumbering and the March 1846 comprise the first issue of the book in cloth. Issued shortly before the American edition, which was titled Typee.

Second state of page 19.1 ("Pomare").

REFERENCE:

BAL 13652