New York: G.P. Putnam & Col, 1854-1855. Scarce. The first appearance of Israel Potter, Melville’s novel about the Revolutionary War, was published in six parts in Putnam’s Magazine between July 1854 - March 1855. It was published in book form in March 1855. Loosely based on a real person, Israel Potter recounts the life of a young American who fights in the Revolution, is captured at sea by the British Navy, and has a series of adventures in England involving King George III, Benjamin Franklin, John Paul Jones, and Ethan Allen. The work ends sadly, with Potter exiled in poverty in England for fifty years, finally returning to America shortly before his death. The book was a commercial failure in its time but garnered critical appreciation. Volume IV also includes Melville’s “The Lightning-Rod Man.” Both volumes are bound in the original green cloth with embossed designs to covers and gilt titling to spine. Both volumes have a few light stains to the boards, bumped / worn corners, and rubbed cloth, with faded gilt design and titling to spines. Sunning to both spines and to edges of boards. Evidence of library marking to spines of both volumes, covered over partially. Gouge to rear board of Volume IV, not affecting interior and small tears to joint. Book cloth is worn along joints of both volumes with several small tears; although, the boards remain firmly attached. Chipping to spine ends of both volumes. Ownership stamp of D.F. Tillinghast to front and rear pastedowns of both volumes. Old book seller stamp to endpapers of Volume V. Interior pages clean and bright with age darkening to some pages. Overall in very good condition. Volume IV: 672 pages; Volume V: 668 pages. LIT/050418.

Item #32087

Price: $475.00