Lot 675

Arthur Stedman ANTIQUE SIGNATURE Noted American Author & Close Friend Of Herman Melville

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 675
image_0 image_1
Arthur Stedman ANTIQUE SIGNATURE Noted American Author & Close Friend Of Herman Melville
Arthur Stedman ANTIQUE SIGNATURE Noted American Author & Close Friend Of Herman Melville
image_0 image_1

Arthur Stedman ANTIQUE SIGNATURE Noted American Author & Close Friend Of Herman Melville

left to bid 14d 2h 25m left to bid (Bidding Extended) Lot is closed 14d 2h 25m left to bid Refresh page
Estimate: $75 - $150

Starting Bid: $24

(0 Bids)
by The Book Barn
August 13, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Timed Auction
353 Indian Village Road
Shapliegh, ME, US 07076

ANTIQUE SIGNATURE ND On A 1 1/4 Inch High by 4 1/2 Inch Wide Slip Of Paper Signature Of Arthur Stedman Noted American Author, editor, & Close Friend Of Herman Melville (see scan(s). Important Melville Association Piece. Signed in Ink on an slip of paper: "ARTHUR STEDMAN"


ARTHUR (GRIFFITH) STEDMAN
(1859–1908) was a noted American author, editor, & Close Friend Of Herman Melville. He was the son of Edmund Clarence Stedman (1833–1908) also a noted American author & poet. He became a close friend of the author of the classic whaling novel "Moby Dick", Herman Melville, becoming Melville's literary executor at Melville's death. Stedman was a close friend of Melville's and critically important both as a primary source for his late biography and as the earliest advocate of his works prior to their 20th century canonization. He first came into contact with Melville via his father, the poet/banker E.C. Stedman, who had formed an admiring friendship with the author after reading Moby Dick, a work of which he had "often on his lips, and the recommendation by all odds to read it at once to nearly every young writer who sought his counsel." In 1888, after moving into close proximity to the Melvilles in New York, the elder Stedman would use his son as messenger, but as Hershel Parker writes in his monumental biography, Arthur "form[ed] a greater intimacy with Melville than his father attained." It was Arthur who would write the note on Melville's funeral in the October 1st, 1891 issue of the "Tribune" and provide a seminal personal account of him in his introduction to a special edition of "Typee." This publication, issued shortly after Melville's death in a sustained effort to bring his works to the largest possible readership, was followed by the reprints of "Omoo," "White Jacket," and "Moby Dick." William S. Reese writes that "Stedman made a valiant effort to revive Melville—but the publisher went bankrupt." Ironically, Melville's rightful fame might have come in his own lifetime had not, some thirty years earlier, publisher Charles Scribner chosen to publish a submission of his poetry in lieu of the first book by Arthur's father, the much more well connected."

Some very light age toning/ number "135" in ink to the left of the signature, presumably the collection number of a previous owner/minor mounting traces on verso, o/w Overall Very Good Condition. ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED, NOT DEFECTIVE, & GENUINE.

PLEASE NOTE: We do all our own shipping. We will combine shipping on multiple items, where possible to save the wining bidder on shipping costs. Shipping will be added to winning bidder's invoice for item(s) won. Media Mail postage from USPS will be used for shipping in the United States for those items allowed. Lowest alternative cost shipping will be billed for items not allowed by USPS to be shipped by Media Mail. Foreign winning bidders will pay postage based on their countries small/medium/large Flat Rate box postage rates & weight of the package. Other types of postage are available at added expense at the bidders request. You also agree to pay any applicable taxes and/or customs/import duties. A Tracking Number will be provided to buyer. Insurance is mandatory on packages over $100 USD and will be added to postage charges when applicable.

  • Condition: Very Good Condition

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Visa

Shipping

We do all our own shipping. Shipping will be added to winning bidder's invoice for item(s) won. Media Mail postage from USPS will be used for shipping in the United States for those items allowed. Lowest alternative cost shipping will be billed for items not allowed by USPS to be shipped by Media Mail. Foreign winning bidders will pay postage based on their countries small/medium/large Flat Rate box postage rates & weight of the package. Other types of postage are available at added expense at the bidders request. You also agree to pay any applicable taxes and/or customs/import duties. A Tracking Number will be provided to buyer. Insurance is mandatory on packages over $100 USD and will be added to postage charges when applicable.

The Book Barn

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $299:
20.00%
$300 - $599:
18.00%
$600+:
15.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $19 $1
$20 $49 $2
$50 $99 $5
$100 $249 $10
$250 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 + $100