Meliboeus-Hipponax: The Biglow Papers. [With] The Biglow Papers Second Series.

WILBUR, Homer. [James Russell Lowell].

$700.00

Item Number: 139428

Cambridge: Published by George Nichols: 1848/Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1867.

First edition, first issue of James Russell Lowell’s first book, a bitter criticism of the Mexican-American War and opposition to the expansion of slavery; named by the Grolier Club as the most influential book of 1848. BAL 13068. First issue, published under the pseudonym, with the preliminary advertisements, and only the Cambridge imprint to the title page. With a first edition of The Biglow Papers Second Series. Octavo, two volumes, original cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine. In very good condition. From the library of Danish-American actor Jean Hersholt with his signed bookplate to each volume. Housed in a custom half morocco and folding chemise slipcase.

Upon publication in 1848, the first 1500 copies of The Biglow Papers sold out within a week and a second edition was soon issued—though Lowell made no profit, as he had to absorb the cost of stereotyping the book himself. The book presented three main characters, each representing different aspects of American life and using authentic American dialects in their dialogue. Under the surface, The Biglow Papers was also a denunciation of the Mexican–American War and war in general, as well as a fierce criticism of the expansion of slavery.