New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851. First American Edition; preceded slightly by the English edition, although this edition has numerous additions to that text. Publisher’s green cloth; stamped in gilt and in blind; first binding, although this cataloguer has never seen either of the later two bindings in the wild. Some fading and wear; foxed (as seems inevitable); faded contemporary owner’s inscription on the front free endpaper; bookplate of author and collector Carolyn Wells. The final 50 or so leaves are marginally waterstained at the lower corners, far from any text; bottom corners of the three advertising leaves slightly chipped, likewise not near any printing. Overall, a good copy of a book often found repaired, rebacked, restored or otherwise suffering from previous owners’ good or bad intentions. In a custom quarter-morocco clamshell box (corners frayed).

Synopsis

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. -

Reviews

On Mar 9 2016, a reader said:

Why would this be 600 since the original was in 1851?

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Details

Bookseller: Peter L. Stern & Company, Inc. (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 31253P
Title: Moby-Dick; or, The Whale
Author: MELVILLE, HERMAN
Book Condition: Used - First American Edition; preceded slightly by the English edition, although this edition has numerous additions to that text. Pub
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Harper & Brothers
Place of Publication: New York
Date Published: 1851

Terms of Sale

Peter L. Stern & Company, Inc.

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Peter L. Stern & Company, Inc.

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Newton, Massachusetts

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About Peter L. Stern & Company, Inc.

With more than 35 years experience in the rare book trade, Peter L. Stern and Co., Inc. has established itself as a highly regarded firm of antiquarian booksellers.

Specializing in 19th and 20th century literature, signed and inscribed books, and manuscripts we maintain a high quality inventory. Our shop is located in the heart of Newton Centre where we are open by chance or appointment

In the long-standing tradition of the rare book trade we continue to mail regular catalogues to our customers. We are easily accessible via the MBTA Green Line's D Branch. We travel widely and attend both international and local book fairs.

Glossary
Frequently asked questions

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Clamshell Box: A protective box designed for storing and preserving a bound book or loose sheets. A clamshell box is hinged on one side, with...
Gilt: The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
Foxed: Foxing is the age related browning, or brown-yellowish spots, that can occur to book paper over time. When this aging process...
Leaves: Very generally, "leaves" refers to the pages of a book, as in the common phrase, "loose-leaf pages." A leaf is a single sheet...
Bookplate: Highly sought after by some collectors, a book plate is an inscribed or decorative device that identifies the owner, or former...
Rebacked: having had the material covering the spine replaced. ...