Description:

Herman Melville
New York, NY, December 4, 1867
Rare Herman Melville ALS Dating From 1867, His "Annus Horribilis" According to One Biographer
ALS

A 1p autograph letter signed by American novelist Herman Melville (1819-1891) as "H. Melville" near the bottom. December 4, 1867. New York, New York. Inscribed on laid paper. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and an upper right corner wrinkle. A small area of paper abrasion (possibly from previous mounting) is found along the right edge, only visible from the back. Else near fine. 5" x 6.5."

Melville wrote in full:

"New-York. Dec 4th 1867

Dear Sir:

The accidental misdirection of your note, with other circumstances, has prevented an[d] earlier reply.

I am concerned to hear of your state of health, and trust that over-application has not brought it about, for your industry seems directed to value literary objects. The favors you sent me, as well as the book of historical research gave me much pleasure.

I enclose the autograph and photograph which you request [not included in this lot]

Truly yours,
H. Melville

T. Apolen Cheney Esq.
Watkins, Schuyler Co."

Melville's letter recipient was Theseus Apoleon Cheney (1830-1878), a local historian who lived in Watkins, Schuyler County, New York, in the Finger Lakes region. In the letter, Melville thanks Cheney for having forwarded him a "book of historical research." Cheney was the author of several monographs about western, central, and southern New York history, but the most likely candidate for the book he once sent Melville is Theseus Apoleon Cheney, "Historical Sketch of the Chemung Valley" (Watkins, NY, 1866.) That same year, in 1866, Melville had published his first book of poetry, called "Battle-Pieces and Aspects of War" (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1866). The poetry collection inspired by Civil War military commanders, prisoners of war, and the war dead proved hugely commercially unsuccessful.

Melville wrote this letter from New York City, where he had been appointed as a customs inspector the previous year, in 1866. In his apology for the letter's delay, Melville cites "the accidental misdirection of your note, with other circumstances." Melville's statement about "other circumstances" was a vague understatement, belying the truly traumatic nature of these events.

Melville's 18-year-old eldest son, Malcolm "Mackie" Melville (1849-1867) had been discovered dead in his bedroom less than three months earlier, on September 11, 1867, most likely from suicide. In addition, Melville's fragile physical and psychological health - combined with alcoholism - had led to the deterioration of his 20-year-long marriage to Elizabeth Knapp Shaw Melville. Elizabeth's relatives were so concerned about her physical safety that they even planned to help her leave her husband earlier in May 1867. Considering the many terribly painful personal events of Melville's life during this time, one of his biographers likened 1867 to the author's "annus horribilis." For more information, please see Laurie Robertson-Lorant, "Melville: A Biography" (New York: Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 1996), pp. 505-517.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5" x 6.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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