Lot 404
Melville, Herman
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 5 September 2007 at 12:00 BST
Description
Narrative 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, first edition, first issue, 8vo (180 x 118mm.), map on page [xviii], 8 leaves of publisher's catalogue at end, modern blue cloth, lacking half-title, title slightly soiled
Footnote
Note: Blanck, Bibliography of American Literature 13652; cf. Hill p.196 (1847 editions)
The first issue of the author's first book (page 19, line 1 "Pomarea"). This edition predates the American edition of the same year, which appeared as Typee. The London edition was set directly from Melville's manuscript, whereas the New York edition was set from proofs of the Murray edition.
Jacob Blanck notes in BAL that "no wholly satisfactory publication sequence has been established for the London issues of this book ."