2 volumes, 8vo. Half-title printed in red, title-page printed in red and black, and map frontispiece in vol. I; publisher's advertisements paginated [xv]-xxiii, [1]-16 at end of vol. II. (Marginal chipping to the first few leaves vol. 1 with repairs, some dampstaining and spotting, M11-12 roughly opened vol. II.) Publisher's original printed wrappers (rebacked preserving remnants of original spine, a few gatherings reinforced in gutter margin, soiling and staining); cloth folding case. Provenance: J. G. Morrisill (signatures on covers); Osmond Kessler Fraenkel (1888-1983), American Civil Liberties attorney (bookplates).  

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION IN THE RARE ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.

Melville's two earliest works, Typee and its sequel Omoo, are the product of the four years he spent as a sailor in the Pacific. Both novels were commercially successful, marking Melville's early career with fame. The first English edition preceded the first American edition by less than a month.  BAL 13656.