Israel Potter in parts, in original wrappers

Lot 130
15.06.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
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$ 5 040
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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ID 967641
Lot 130 | Israel Potter in parts, in original wrappers
Estimate value
$ 1 000 – 2 000
Israel Potter in parts, in original wrappers

Herman Melville, 1854-1855

[MELVILLE, Herman (1819-1891).] Israel Potter: A Fourth of July Story. In: Putnam's Monthly. Issues XIX-XXVII. New York: G.P. Putnam & Company, July 1854-March 1855.



First appearance (anonymously) of Melville's only novel to appear serially, in original wrappers. Israel Potter first appeared in monthly installments with the subtitle "A Fourth of July Story"; the novel was his unsuccessful attempt to transfer his popular maritime storytelling to the American Revolution. After brief careers as a New England farmer, surveyor, and sailor on whaling ships, Israel Potter is captured by the English at the Battle of Bunker Hill and spends the next fifty years in England, Europe, and at sea, where he encounters figures like Benjamin Franklin, John Paul Jones, and Ethan Allan. The August issue of Putnam's also includes "The Lightning-Rod Man," which would be published in The Piazza Tales in 1856. See BAL 13667.



Nine volumes, octavo (250 x 156mm). Original green wrappers (some flaking to the delicate spines and chipping to ends, minor occasional soiling, a couple covers with a little creasing, part XXI with rear cover detached); modern clamshell box. Provenance: William Clermont (ownership signature to XXIII) – occasional stray pencil notes to covers.

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