CHASE, OWEN | Narrative of the most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-Ship Essex... New York: W.B. Gilley, 1821

CHASE, OWEN

Narrative of the most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-Ship Essex... New York: W.B. Gilley, 1821

12mo (190 x 120 mm). Uncut; spotted. Original blue boards with linen backing. Cloth case.

First edition of this famed account of the sinking of a whaler by its prey, inspiration for both Poe's Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym and of course Melville's Moby Dick.  The sufferings of the remaining sailors during their three month voyage in the ship's launch is legendary, not least because of their resorting to cannibalism to survive. 

REFERENCES

Hill p. 50; Howes C 318; Sabin 12189

PROVENANCE

Contemporary Chatham, Mass. owner's inscription