Herman Melville Autograph Letter Signed.

MELVILLE, Herman.

$18,500.00

Item Number: 138591

Rare autograph letter signed and entirely in the hand of great American novelist Herman Melville. One page, the letter reads in full, “Pittsfield Aug 26 Osmond Tiffany Esq. My dear Sir, With pleasure I comply with your request, but hardly think that any letter will further your object; still, if the accompanying one can be made of the least service, I shall be happy. Wishing you all success in your affairs I am Very Truly Yours H Melville.” The recipient, Osmond Tiffany was a Baltimore merchant and occasional author who contributed to the Atlantic Monthly and The Knickerbocker. In 1855, he reached out to several authors including Washington Irving, seeking assistance in finding a publisher for his novel, Brandon; or, A Hundred Years Ago. Based on Irving’s response dated December 15, 1855, Melville’s letter was likely written in that same year. Tiffany’s work, set during the French and Indian War, was published in New York by Stanford & Delisser in 1858. In fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco and folding chemise slipcase. 

American novelist and short story writer Herman Melville remains best-known for his masterpiece Moby-Dick, the story of Captain Ahab on his quest for revenge against the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg at the knee. Although it is now recognized as one of the great American novels, its popularity during Melville's lifetime paled in comparison to his first novel, Typee, based on his exploits in Tahiti after jumping ship in the Marquesas Islands aboard the whaler Acushnet. Melville began writing Moby-Dick in February 1850 and finished 18 months later, a year after he had anticipated. Melville drew on his experience as a common sailor from 1841 to 1844, including on whalers, and on wide reading in whaling literature. The detailed and realistic descriptions of whale hunting and of extracting whale oil, as well as life aboard ship among a culturally diverse crew, are mixed with exploration of class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God.