MELVILLE, HERMAN | The Piazza Tales. New York and London: Dix & Edwards and Sampson Low, 1856

The Property of a Gentleman

MELVILLE, HERMAN

The Piazza Tales. New York and London: Dix & Edwards and Sampson Low, 1856

88vo (4 5/8 x 7 in.; 118 x 180 mm). Publisher's advertisements at end; minor foxing primarily to early leaves. Original dark brown cloth, covers elaborately ruled and stamped in blind, spine gilt-lettered with gilt floral motif, yellow endpapers; corners just bumped, minor shelfwear to lower edges, one or two minute nicks to head of spine. In custom quarter blue morocco over cloth clamshell case.   

First edition, and the first book appearance of several of Melville's better-known short works such as “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” “Benito Cereno,” “The Lightning-Rod Man,” and “The Enchantadas”

Following the savage reviews of Moby Dick in 1851, Melville found it difficult to find a home for its successor, Pierre; or, The Ambiguities. Under such circumstances, publishing anonymously became an attractive option for the author. Melville began submitting to a new periodical, Putnam's Monthly Magazine, where all but the title story were published between 1853 and 1855. "Bartleby, the Scrivener", "Benito Cereno", and "The Encantadas" are regarded as Melville's most significant achievements in the genre of short fiction.

REFERENCES

BAL 13669; Wright II: 1702

PROVENANCE

William H. Young (bookseller's blindstamp to front free endpaper) — John Holme (bookplate to front pastedown)