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Moby Dick (Graphic Novel)
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Moby Dick (Graphic Novel) Hardcover - 2017

by Herman Melville; Christophe Chaboute (Illustrator)


About this book

Melville's classic was first published in England as three volumes titled The Whale in October 1851. Slow sales of Melville's previously books convinced Publisher L. Richard Bentley to reduce the printing to only 500 copies, and of that, only 300 sold in the first 4 months. The remaining unbound sheets were bound in a cheaper casing in 1852, and in 1853 there were still enough remaining sheets to again bind into an even cheaper edition.

Melville changed the title to Moby Dick a month later, November 1851, when the American Version was published in one volume by Harper & Brothers in NY. Of the 2,951 copies printed, 125 were review copies. About 1,500 sold in 11 days, but then sales slowed to less than 300 the next year. After two years copies of the first edition were still available, and almost 300 were destroyed in the 1853 fire of Harper's warehouse. Most of the first editions have orange end-papers, although there are 2 known volumes with rare white-endpapers.

Because of Nineteenth-century printing practices, and the time-lapse between when the first-editions were published and Melville became collectible, oxidized paper, bumped and chipped spines, and brittle wrappers are all common for even the most expensive and collectible of these books, which can sell from $35,000 to $100,000. Also, expect heavy wear and maybe even minor repair. Another collectible edition is the 1930 first edition illustrated by Rockwell Kent, a three-volume set published by the Lakeside Press with acetate dust jackets in an aluminum slipcase. These range in value from $9,000 to $11,000.

A total of 3,215 copies of Moby-Dick were sold during Melville's life (he died in 1891). Today, Moby-Dick is considered one of the greatest American novels.
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From the publisher

A masterful adaptation of the timeless literary classic, faithfully and beautifully rendered by an award-winning artist. In striking black-and-white illustrations, Chabout retells the story of the Great American Novel. Captain Ahab strikes out on a voyage, obsessively seeking revenge on the great white whale that took his leg. This hardcover edition collects both of the Vents d'Ouest volumes, printed in English for the first time.

First Edition Identification

Melville's classic was first published by L. Richard Bentley in England in 1851 as a three-volume set entitled The Whale. Only 500 copies were printed. 

The US version, published a month later in November 1851 by Harper & Brothers, titled Moby Dick had 2,951 in the first printing. The U.S. version contained substantial textual differences even aside from the prominent change of title, including 35 passages that were wholly deleted from the English version. 

Details

  • Title Moby Dick (Graphic Novel)
  • Author Herman Melville; Christophe Chaboute (Illustrator)
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition Hardback
  • Pages 256
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Dark Horse Books
  • Date 2017
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9781506701493 / 1506701493
  • Weight 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg)
  • Dimensions 11.4 x 8.5 x 0.8 in (28.96 x 21.59 x 2.03 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Graphic novels, COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / General
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2016037961
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author

Herman Melville was born in New York City in 1819. He worked as a crew member on several vessels beginning in 1839, his experiences spawning his successful early novels Typee (1846) and Omoo (1847). Subsequent books, included his masterpiece Moby-Dick (1851). Following his death in New York City in 1891, he posthumously came to be regarded as one of the great American writers.
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Moby Dick (Graphic Novel)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Moby Dick (Graphic Novel)

by Melville, Herman

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  • Hardcover
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As New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9781506701493
ISBN 10
1506701493
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Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
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Item Price
NZ$134.59
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Show Details

Description:
Dark Horse Books, 2017 A large volume, extra shipping charges may apply to your destination.
Item Price
NZ$134.59
NZ$25.24 shipping to USA