Ink markings appear in the first chapter of the rare 1853 edition copy of "The Whale"—definitively titled "Moby-Dick." Ink markings appear in the first chapter of the rare 1853 edition copy of "The Whale"—definitively titled "Moby-Dick."

AU Friend and Neighbor Bequests Rare Copy of Moby-Dick to University Library

When Washington, DC, philanthropist and friend of American University Mary deLimur Weinmann passed away in 2018, she most notably gifted AU her magnificent Nebraska Avenue home.  

Known today as AU House, the property serves as the residence of President Jonathan Alger and his wife, Mary Ann, offers a gathering place for the AU community, and extends the campus arboretum, honoring Mrs. Weinmann’s legacy as a prized gardener.  

The gift of AU House is not where Weinmann’s incredible generosity ends. Through her estate gift, Weinmann also entrusted a rare 1853 edition copy of Herman Melville’s (1819-1891) The Whale—definitively titled Moby-Dick—and other special publications to the care of the University Library. 

The spine of the 1853 edition.
Gift of the Mary de Limur Weinmann Estate, American University Library Archives and Special Collections

First published in three volumes in October 1851 in London as The Whale and one month later in New York as Moby-Dick; or The Whale, the iconic novel today is regarded as one of the greatest American works. 

While the mere age of Weinmann’s copy is significant to any antiquarian, it is the ink markings found within and its likely intended use that makes this edition an extraordinary resource for new scholarship. 

The Weinmann copy features extensive edits and notes by British playwright and novelist Charles Reade (1818-1884). It is believed that Melville’s London publisher, Richard Bentley, may have assigned Reade to shorten the novel to a more manageable length for English readers—also making it more commercial.  

Reade, whose signature is found on the interior front board and paper, did not shy away from his likely role. As evidenced upon perusing, Reade’s bold first act was to remove the novel’s famed opening line, “Call me Ishmael.” 

Ink markings on the first page of Chapter 1
Gift of the Mary de Limur Weinmann Estate, American University Library Archives and Special Collections

“The gift of this remarkable copy of The Whale through Mary Weinmann’s estate will foster curiosity and empower new knowledge. As we work to broaden our reach through new technologies, the preservation and access to unique materials like Melville’s edited masterpiece fuel our commitment to fostering research and student engagement by boosting hands-on experiential learning and new opportunities for groundbreaking discovery.” –Jeehyun Davis, University Librarian 

The Whale reflects the University Library’s prominent role as an innovative resource for exploration and a hub for equitable access to information. It is among 300 additions to the University Library’s rare books, local history, photojournalism, and other holdings made possible through in-kind donations and Special Collections Fund acquisitions during the Change Can’t Wait campaign, which closed earlier this fall after surpassing its $500 million goal. 

The gift of this remarkable copy of The Whale through Mary Weinmann’s estate will foster curiosity and empower new knowledge.

While Reade’s edits never made it into the codified version of Moby-Dick, thanks to Weinmann and AU’s rich, expansive holdings, students and scholars today can probe this fascinating record of literary history. 

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