Mardi: and a Voyage Thither
New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1849. First Edition. Original cloth over boards. Duodecimos.
An early Melville novel, and precursor to his masterpiece, "Moby Dick."
This sea-faring adventure-turned-allegorical tale follows a sailor who deserts his whaling ship and embarks on a journey to an archipelago called Mardi. Accompanied by a Polynesian companion, the sailor navigates through a series of islands, each representing different aspects of society, politics, and religion, inviting profound reflections on human nature, truth, and the search for meaning.
Ref. BAL 13568.
Both volumes have been professionally re-backed, retaining nearly all of the original spines, including gilt-stamped titles. New endpapers. Fore corners somewhat rounded. Mild age toning and scattered foxing to textblocks, else near fine. Housed in a modern custom slipcase. A lovely, and now very usable, set.
Item #1836
Price: $1,250