Nineteenth-century American author (1819–1891) who takes a place among the most influential figures in the history of literature. Though his body of work includes such distinguished efforts as Typee, Billy Budd, and the story “Bartleby the Scrivener,” it was his 1851 magnum opus, Moby-Dick, that would come to occupy a singular position among the greatest works ever produced in the English language. Extremely rare ALS signed “H. Melville,” one page, 5 x 8, January 13, 1872. An intriguing letter to Miss Coffin about information that she had provided earlier. In full: “So long a time has elapsed that I cannot recall where I got the facts alluded to in your note of the 9th inst. Neither—I am sorry to say—can I direct you where to get information additional to what you may now possess.” Worthy of further research: the possible connection between Miss Coffin and Melville’s classic Moby Dick. The very inspiration for the story was of a whaling ship named the Essex, that in 1820, was battered by an enormous sperm whale, with a small group of survivors crowding into a small lifeboat awaiting rescue. After some time, the survivors were forced to draw straws to decide among them who was to be eaten. The cabin boy, Owen Coffin, was the unfortunate victim, shot and consumed before the boat was eventually rescued. Melville not only drew from this tale for the plot of Moby Dick, but also used the cabin boy’s surname for his fictional locales, such as Coffin’s Wharf and Peter Coffin Inn. As to whom Miss Coffin is specifically, that remains uncertain. However, the Coffins were a prominent family in New England at that time. Intersecting mailing folds and light toning to edges from previous framed display, otherwise fine condition. Extremely rare in every form, so much so that noted expert Kenneth Rendell remarks in his book History Comes to Life that “Melville’s autographs, in fact, border on being uncollectable.” A prize for any literary collection! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
