Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$450.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: These books are in good condition. This is the complete two volume set, printed by the Limited Editions Club in 1943. There no signatures, bookplates, markings of any kind. The spines are faded and are worn as shown above. The books are clean and free of any foxing. The set comes with its rare original slipcase. The slipcase is in fair condition. It has some wear to its edges and the top flap is detached, but present. This is a Limited edition #558 of only 1000 copies signed by Boardman Robinson who illustrated these books. A hard to find copy of Melville's classic work
Seller: The Lion's End, Antiquarian Books, North Miami, FL, U.S.A.
Herman Melville. Moby Dick. The Limited Editions Club, U.S.A., 1943.
Price: US$630.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Each volumes cover has black leather. The last page states "copy number 69", below which is the illustrator's signature. Each volume has plates of color and b/w illustrations. The text block ends are blue. Vol. 1: Chapters 1-56. Pages 1-287. The spine strip has faded to brown, has six scuffs that are pinpoint to a linear 5/8 in., and some rubbed spots that have sheen loss. Vol. 2: Chapters 57-135. Pages 288-615. The spine strip has faded to brown, the bottom edge is scuffed, and the top edge has a 1/8 in. chip and a bend line. The slipcase has lt. green, dk. green, and red marbled design paper. The open edges have six places, 1/8 in. to 1 1/2 in., of paper loss. The bottom panel has rubbed spots from shelf wear. Three split corners are rejoined with glue; two of those also have tape on the inside. The case is sturdy. Scans e-mailed upon request. Priority or international shipping will require extra shipping cost.
Seller: Books from the Past, Memphis, TN, U.S.A.
Herman Melville. Moby Dick or the Whale LEC Signed. The Limited Editions Club, 1943.
Price: US$850.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: "Moby Dick or The Whale" by Herman Melville. The Limited Editions Club numbered 718. Signed by the illustrator on the rear endsheet. Illustrated by Boardman Robinson. Complete in two volumes. The books measure 7" x 10". Leather bound with gilt lettering and decorations on the spines. The books are in very good minus condition. Wear to the board edges with lifted leather. The spines are sunned with chips and cracks. The contents are clean, bright, unmarked, and complete. The bindings are sound. Please view the many other rare titles available for purchase at our store. We are always interested in purchasing individual or collections of fine books. Inventory # (G11-5).
Seller: Ernestoic Books, Clarence, NY, U.S.A.
MELVILLE, Herman. MOBY DICK. Limited Editions Club, [Brattleboro, VT], 1943.
Price: US$1250.00 + shipping
Description: Two quarto volumes (7-1/2" x 10") bound in full dark sheepskin with gilt lettering on the spines. Copy #818 of 1000 with color and black-and-white plates after paintings by Boardman Robinson and SIGNED by the artist on the colophon page. One of the most difficult books of the press to obtain in decent condition because of the tendency of the leather to dry. When copies are seen, usually the binding is so dry it is crumbling. The limitation of 1000 copies is not stated, nor is the typical limitation of 1500 copies stated, but a letter from the publisher, George Macy, to a subscriber in another copy we handled explained the limitation (not included here). Note from the publisher, though not the Monthly Letter, laid in. The leather is still supple with solid coloring. The spines are faded with some wear to the tips, and there's slight edgewear but much less than normally encountered. Very Good, lacking the slipcase. A better example than most copies offered for sale
Seller: Charles Agvent, est. 1987, ABAA, ILAB, Fleetwood, PA, U.S.A.
Price: US$1500.00 + shipping
Description: Octavos, Two Volumes. In Very Good condition. Bound in full dark sheepskin with gilt lettering on spines. Housed in publisher's Good minus patterned paper slipcase. Slipcase has heavy tearing to edges. Light wear to spines. Textblocks clean. Signed by illustrator on colophon page. In unusually nice condition. Shelved Case 9 3/4. 1375337. Shelved Dupont Bookstore.
Seller: Second Story Books, ABAA, Rockville, MD, U.S.A.
Melville, Herman.. Moby Dick; Or, The Whale.. Limited Editions Club, 1943.
Price: US$2000.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: Limited Edition. This set "Out of Series This is One of 15 Presentation Copies" as indicated by emboss on the colophon page of volume 2. This set was for Clifton Fadiman, who wrote the Introduction, designated on the colophon as "C F" where the copy number would be written. Two Volumes, complete. Specially bound in smooth dark blue denim cloth, black leather label patches stamped in gilt at spines. 287pp./287-615pp. The limitation of the edition was 1000 copies, in addition to the special out of series copies, and this copy is SIGNED as in all copies, by Boardman Robinson, the illustrator. A Fine set, without dustwrappers as issued. Provenance: laid in is a TLS from Edward Weeks, editor of the Atlantic Monthly, dated July 9, 1943 to George Macy requesting to reprint the Fadiman introduction in a future issue of the magazine, along with Fadiman's written comment along side the type-written text "Do you think it's really possible I have some talent or is Weeks shifting ["shitting"??] me because I'm 'famous'? CF." The set, with ephemera. Association copy. Q18362
Seller: Compass Rose Books, ABAA-ILAB, Kensington, CA, U.S.A.
MELVILLE, Herman. MOBY DICK. Limited Editions Club, [Brattleboro, VT], 1943.
Price: US$2500.00 + shipping
Description: Two quarto volumes (7-1/2" x 10") bound in full dark sheepskin with gilt lettering on the spines. Copy #378 of 1000 with color and black-and-white plates after paintings by Boardman Robinson and SIGNED by the artist on the colophon page. One of the most difficult books of the press to obtain in decent condition because of the tendency of the leather to dry. When copies are seen, usually the binding is so dry it is crumbling. The limitation of 1000 copies is not stated, nor is the typical limitation of 1500 copies stated, but a letter from the publisher, George Macy, to a subscriber in another copy we handled explained the limitation (not included here). Leather still supple with solid original dark coloring but for the spines which are evenly faded to a lighter color and have a few light scratches. Near Fine in a bright, Near Fine slipcase with a split at the top edge. A superior example and increasingly difficult to find in this condition
Seller: Charles Agvent, est. 1987, ABAA, ILAB, Fleetwood, PA, U.S.A.
Price: US$2500.00 + shipping
Description: Pencil and gouache on masonite. Signed with initials ("BR") Exhibition label of Kraushaar Galleries, 32 East 57th. Street, New York 22. 1 vols. 16 x 11.5 inches. Moby Dick. This illustration was drawn for use in the last chapter of Moby Dick (Chapter 135) Lewis Mumford: No one else has come so close to the spirit of Melville and Melville's character as Robinson has. His pictures would remain as precious evidence of Melville's genius even if the words that had prompted them were destroyed. Christ-Janer, Boardman Robinson, p. 66 Pencil and gouache on masonite. Signed with initials ("BR") Exhibition label of Kraushaar Galleries, 32 East 57th. Street, New York 22. 1 vols. 16 x 11.5 inches
Seller: James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.