Melville, Herman; illustrated by Rockwell Kent; Moby Dick or The Whale; New York: Random House 1930. 1st Trade Edition, 1st Printing. xxi, 822 pages. Hardcover
American Literature - 19th Century Whaling - Fiction Illustrated Book
Very Good-/noDJ. Cover rub, random foxing, edges toned, light text tone, otherwise light wear. Solid hardcover.
Striking Rockwell Kent illustrated edition of the classic American novel, Moby Dick. Random House trade edition, after the three-volume Riverside Press limited edition. "Kent actually produced 280 noir-Deco woodcuts for the 1930 Random House edition of Moby-Dick, and so charged the era’s imagination that Melville’s behemoth tale, long homeless for a meaningful audience, became palatable, bite by bite. The 135 short chapters, such an orgy of wonder and mystery, found their brethren in images. And the forsaken story finally found its audience, with the printmaker’s incalculable assist. I recently responded to an NPR survey about the single work of art that changed one’s life, and chose this book, and shared how Kent’s work primed me for the great American odyssey." - Kevin Lynch; "Artist Rockwell Kent followed Moby Dick to the ends of the earth". First Trade Edition of one of the most pleasing and enticing illustrated editions, perfect to curl up with, for the long satisfying read to follow.

Very Good-/noDJ. Cover rub, random foxing, edges toned, light text tone, otherwise light wear. Solid hardcover.

7.37 x 5.5 x 1.87 in

2 lb