New York:: G. P. Putnam & Co.,, 1855.. First edition, first printing.. publisher's gilt-lettered cloth.. Area of abrasion (as from rough removal of a bookplate) on front pastedown; light staining to the text; some corners creased; cloth sunned and worn but tight and sound.. 12mo,. BAL 13667; first printing; first binding.

Synopsis

The authoritative edition of Melville's only historical novel Based on the life of an actual soldier who claimed to have fought at Bunker Hill, Israel Potter is unique among Herman Melville's books: a novel in the guise of a biography. In telling the story of Israel Potter's fall from Revolutionary War hero to peddler on the streets of London, where he obtained a livelihood by crying "Old Chairs to Mend," Melville alternated between invented scenes and historical episodes, granting cameos to such famous men of the era as Benjamin Franklin (Potter may have been his secret courier) and John Paul Jones, and providing a portrait of the American Revolution as the rollicking adventure and violent series of events that it really was. This edition of Israel Potter , which reproduces the definitive text, includes selections from Potter's autobiography, Life and Remarkable Adventures of Israel R. Potter , the basis for Melville's novel.

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Details

Bookseller: Jeffrey H. Marks Rare Books (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 70490
Title: Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile.
Author: MELVILLE, Herman
Format/Binding: Publisher's gilt-lettered cloth.
Book Condition: Used - Area of abrasion (as from rough removal of a bookplate) on front pastedown; light staining to the text; some corners creased; cl
Edition: First edition, first printing.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: G. P. Putnam & Co.,
Place of Publication: New York:
Date Published: 1855.
Pages: 276 pp.
Size: 12mo,

Terms of Sale

Jeffrey H. Marks Rare Books

All books are returnable within ten days if returned in the same condition as sent. New York residents please add 8% sales tax. All items guaranteed. Members ABAA, ILAB.

About the Seller

Jeffrey H. Marks Rare Books

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Biblio member since 2005

Rochester, New York

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About Jeffrey H. Marks Rare Books

Specializing in modern first editions since 1978. Fine and rare books in all fields.

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Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

G: Good describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted. (as defined by AB...
Sunned: Damage done to a book cover or dust jacket caused by exposure to direct sunlight. Very strong fluorescent light can cause slight...
First Edition: In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
Tight: Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
BAL: Bibliography of American Literature (commonly abbreviated as BAL in descriptions) is the quintessential reference work for any...
12mo: A duodecimo is a book approximately 7 by 4.5 inches in size, or similar in size to a contemporary mass market paperback. Also...
Cloth: "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...