Three Melville source books - photo 1
Three Melville source books - photo 2

Three Melville source books

Sold
$ 2 520
Auction dateClassic
14.09.2022 10:00UTC -04:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
USA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 797266
Lot 628 | Three Melville source books
MELVILLE SOURCES – Three titles read by Herman Melville for research on his fiction. Providence and New York: 1824-1844.

Three Melville source books, including the first novel to treat of whaling in Nantucket, the biography of Israel Potter, and a rare account of the Somers mutiny—an important inspiration for Billy Budd. Melville’s cousin, Gansevoort, was First Lieutenant aboard the Somers and one of the officers who agreed to condemn the conspirators to immediate death. "He may have passed inside information of what occurred to Melville" (Reese). Comprises:

1. Life and Remarkable Adventures of Israel R. Potter (A Native of Cranston, Rhode-Island). Providence: J. Howard for I.R. Potter, 1824. 12mo. Woodcut frontispiece. 19th century half calf, spine gilt (worn at spine and edges). Exhibited: "A Herman Melville Collection... on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his death, from the collection of William S. Reese," Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, 1991, no. 23.
‌2. [HART, Joseph C.] Miriam Coffin, or The Whale-Fisherman: A Tale. New York: G. & C. & H. Carvill, 1834. Two volumes, octavo. Half titles. (Foxing.) Original cloth (spine ends worn, some staining, signature sprung in vol. 1). Provenance: “T.R.W.” (ownership inscriptions, one dated 1834).
3. [COOPER, James Fenimore.] The Cruise of the Somers: illustrative of the Despotism of the Quarter Deck and of the Unmanly Conduct of Commander Mackenzie. New York: J. Winchester, 1844. 8vo. Original wrappers (upper wrapped a bit chipped and soiled, with two old stickers). Custom chemise and box. Exhibited: "A Herman Melville Collection... on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his death, from the collection of William S. Reese," Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, 1991, no. 45.
Place of origin:USA
Category:Printed book
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
01.09.2022 – 14.09.2022
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.