Redburn

Redburn by Herman Melville, First edition, first printing, first state $4500

Harper Brothers 1849 New York. Publisher’s Original Boards in very good condition with the very rare 14 pages of ads at the back comprising the first state of the book. Far scarcer than the second state which has 18 pages of ads. Brown cloth, spine mildly sunned. This the true brown cloth not the faded purple cloth. The gilt on the spine is strong and the publisher’s device showing clearly and strongly on the front board. Early year of publication owner’s signature dated November 1849. Yellow endpapers have some discoloration. This copy has all the first printing points overlooked by BAL: perfect type at pages 37, 153, 275, 290 and 387 as well as the unchanged price in the ads. Overall a choice copy of this very rare first edition first state in complete unrestored collectible condition.