Hi there,
I have found 2 first editions of Melville's Confidence Man for sale
online, with the selling prices being US$6500 and US$4500.
MELVILLE, Herman.
Confidence-Man: His Masquerade|The
1857, MELVILLE, Herman. The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade. New York:
Dix, Edwards & Co., 1857.
8vo, original embossed blue-gray cloth, spine giltlettered, in new
blue cloth folding box. vi, 394 pp. Engraved bookplate of Charles
Erling Hotchkiss on front pastedown. Signs of repairs to spine tips;
spine lettering dimmed; a couple of spots on early pages; but
generally bright and fresh. $6,500.00 First Edition, probably issued
more or less simultaneously with the first English edition. Melville's
bitter and satirical novel was the last to be published during his
lifetime. That the issue point regarding the early printings of this
edition is evidently a will-o'-the-wisp, which is not inconsistent
with the flimflammery that permeates the narrative. Charles Erling
Hotchkiss was a New York collector; his bookplate, dated 1905, shows a
view from a book-lined study through a leaded window onto the Hudson
River. [BAL 13670.]. Bookseller Inventory #7134
Price: US$ 6500.00
Melville, Herman
The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade
New York: Dix, Edwards & Co, 1857.
Published probably simultaneously with the London edition (see Blanck)
-- precedence is unknown. Melville's brilliant and satirical last
novel (apart from the posthumously published Billy Budd). One of the
most difficult Melville titles to obtain First Edition. 8vo. .
Original purple cloth, faded, small chip from head, original
pastedowns replaced and inner hinges reinforced with cloth tape,
re-sewn through the outer joints and rather tight in the gutter
margins; printed lending library Notice affixed to first page of text,
over the drop title. Still, a good, serviceable copy of this very
difficult Melville title. BAL 13670. Bookseller Inventory #52276
Price: US$ 4500.00
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/abe/BookSearch?ph=2&tn=Confidence+Man&gpnm=All+Book+Stores&bi=A&fe=ON&sortby=1&refinecriteria=tit&refinetext=&x=35&y=14
Search strategy: I tried many online bookstore search engines at
Searchenginez.com
http://searchenginez.com/secondhandbooksearch.html
Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga |
