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Herman Melville, 1850
Details
White-Jacket
Herman Melville, 1850
MELVILLE, Herman (1819-1891). White-Jacket; or The World in a Man-of-War. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1850.
A fine copy of the first American edition, first printing, in the first cloth binding, of the novel based on Melville's time in the U.S. Navy. The author served for 14 months between 1834-1844 aboard the U.S.S. United States and the novel exposes the harsh conditions and unfair treatment of the men working on board. Melville wrote the book in two months for a quick financial boost. While this and Redburn were not his personal favorites, they grew in popularity among readers. Melville’s work was turned into a political talking point against the use of flogging by the U.S. Navy, being sent to members of Congress during the congressional debate. Although Melville's book is not directly credited, flogging was abolished the same year as White Jacket’s publication. This is one of only 1000 copies printed. BAL 13662.
Octavo (190 x 115mm). 6 pp. of adverts at rear. Original brown blind-stamped cloth, gilt-stamped spine, yellow coated endpapers (two minor stains to covers, some rubbing to spine ends); modern chemise and slipcase. Provenance: John Holme (bookplate) – H.L. Rose (ownership inscription to title).
Herman Melville, 1850
MELVILLE, Herman (1819-1891). White-Jacket; or The World in a Man-of-War. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1850.
A fine copy of the first American edition, first printing, in the first cloth binding, of the novel based on Melville's time in the U.S. Navy. The author served for 14 months between 1834-1844 aboard the U.S.S. United States and the novel exposes the harsh conditions and unfair treatment of the men working on board. Melville wrote the book in two months for a quick financial boost. While this and Redburn were not his personal favorites, they grew in popularity among readers. Melville’s work was turned into a political talking point against the use of flogging by the U.S. Navy, being sent to members of Congress during the congressional debate. Although Melville's book is not directly credited, flogging was abolished the same year as White Jacket’s publication. This is one of only 1000 copies printed. BAL 13662.
Octavo (190 x 115mm). 6 pp. of adverts at rear. Original brown blind-stamped cloth, gilt-stamped spine, yellow coated endpapers (two minor stains to covers, some rubbing to spine ends); modern chemise and slipcase. Provenance: John Holme (bookplate) – H.L. Rose (ownership inscription to title).
Brought to you by
Heather Weintraub
Specialist, Books, Manuscripts, & Archives