Rare ALS signed “H. Melville,” one page both sides, 5 x 7.75, January 29, 1853. Melville writes to his publishers, George P. Putnam & Co. In full: “Yours of the 20th Inst: was delayed on the way to me, otherwise it would have been sooner answered. You enquire whether I have any drawing of my birth-place or residence. On your account, I regret that I have not. And you say that if I have not, then, you would like me to let you know what view I would prefer to have taken by your artist. The view I would prefer to have taken of the residence, if any, would be such a view as should contain the least of the house, and the most of the country—since the former is not very lovely, but the latter is decidedly and peculiarly so. Then the matter, this may be done.” In the same month Melville penned this letter, Putnam launched the periodical Putnam’s Monthly, which served as the outlet for dozens of the author’s works over the next several years. Melville’s most famous effort aside from Moby Dick, the story “Bartleby the Scrivener,” was serialized in Putnam’s in November and December of the same year. In very fine condition, with the usual mailing folds quite faint and some very slight and unobtrusive show-through from text on reverse. The appearance of the letter is, indeed, startlingly fresh and bright, and a more visually impressive item from Melville’s pen could scarcely be imagined. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
