From the Collection of William Palmer Johnston Melville's Billy Budd at 100 commemorates the centenary of the posthumous and first publication of Herman Melville's novella Billy Budd (1924), the story of a young "Handsome Sailor" impres…  | By Grolier Club on September 12, 2024 | From the Collection of William Palmer Johnston  Melville's Billy Budd at 100 commemorates the centenary of the posthumous and first publication of Herman Melville's novella Billy Budd (1924), the story of a young "Handsome Sailor" impressed into the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th century, falsely accused of mutiny, and hanged after a drumhead trial for striking and killing his accuser. The exhibition highlights the composition, preservation, discovery, and ongoing transmission of a singular work of art – a "prose and poem concoction" – left unfinished on Melville's desk at his death in 1891. Curated by Grolier Club member William Palmer Johnston from his extensive Melville Collection, the exhibition features more than 50 items, including multiple scholarly transcriptions of the Billy Budd manuscript, as well as illustrations, photographs, dust jackets, movie posters, the opera libretto, playbills, a commemorative stamp, unique fine bindings for limited editions, and artwork by Barry Moser. Accompanying the exhibition is a catalogue published by the Grolier Club, and a symposium on October 9 will feature a panel of six prominent Melvillians. Visit the exhibition in person, Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, or visit online. | | | |  | You can also reply to this email to leave a comment. | | | | |
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