Heading: (Lakeside Press - Rockwell Kent)
Author: Melville, Herman
Title: Moby Dick or the Whale
Place Published: Chicago
Publisher:The Lakeside Press
Date Published: 1930
Description:

Three volumes. Illustrated with 280 reproductions of pen, brush and ink drawings by Rockwell Kent. (4to) original black cloth stamped decoratively in silver, top edges stained black, original acetate jackets with paper flaps attached, housed in the original publisher's aluminum slipcase. First Rockwell Kent Illustrated Edition. One of 1000 sets printed under the supervision of William A. Kittredge for R. R. Donnelley & Sons.

Signed by Kent on the front free endpaper with the inscription "To Hugh Littell by his friend Rockwell Kent". Hugh Littell was the son of C.G. Littell, president of R.R. Donnelley (of which the Lakeside Press was an imprint). Laid in is a typed letter on the illustrator's stationery signed by Rockwell Kent and addressed to Mr. C.G. Littell. "Dear Mr. Littell: I write to thank you not only for a most delightful and happy visit to Chicago and for the flattery of that splendid banquet, but for the most beautiful welcome and entertainment that has ever been shown me. / From the moment of my arrival in Chicago, I was made to feel all the satisfaction of being honored and the delight of being liked. / I can only repay you and the Lakeside Press by the slow method of spreading the Gospel, wherever I shall go, of my respect for the work and methods of the Lakeside press and my regard for those who are behind it. Faithfully yours, Rockwell Kent". Also laid in is a hand-colored and signed etching, a New Year's greeting by Alfred de Sauty for the year 1931 depicting a vision from a nightmare inspired by Moby Dick. De Sauty was a British bookbinder who was in charge of special bindings for the Lakeside Press. In the etching Rockwell Kent is the sailor, astride the white whale, brandishing the harpoon at the fleeing de Sauty. The others pictured are W.A. Dwiggins (as the bloody sword-wielding skeleton), Edward A. Wilson (brandishing the second harpoon), and a nude Rudolph Ruzicka as the Wild Man. Apparently Mr. De Sauty had been having an anxiety dream after presiding over 1930's monumental year at the Lakeside Press.  In that year their Four American Books series included Moby Dick illustrated by Rockwell Kent, Tales (of Edgar Allan Poe), illustrated by W.A. Dwiggins, Two Years Before the Mast illustrated by Edward A. Wilson and Thoreau's Walden illustrated by Ruzicka. On preliminary blank is a further inscription from "David" to "Fred" with a quote from Abraham Lincoln. A pencilled note from a previous owner indicates that "David" is David Donnelley, grandson of R.R. Donnelly.

Melville's classic novel of the sea with the magnificent renderings by Rockwell Kent. Includes the often-lacking original publisher's aluminum slipcase. Considered by many to be the greatest illustrated book of the 20th century. Rockwellkentiana p. 62.

Some scratches and wear to aluminum case; each volume with rubbing to cloth, minor wear at corners; a few cracked hinges; very good in like slipcase.