Herman Melville in Prison: Captive and other audiences

Some prison libraries, it appears, didn’t need the “‘Melville Revival’ of the 1920s” to tell them that Melville was worth reading; likewise for military, school, college and university libraries (and, not represented much here yet: private, public and club libraries). Hospital libraries might have been slower to include Melville, or perhaps they did not print their catalogs as often as other kinds of libraries (or they’re less accessible online)? Below, at any rate, is just a selection of some of the libraries that had copies of Melville’s works prior to 1920. It may be expanded as time permits if there’s interest in its expansion.

6,373 Typee Melville, Herman
Sing Sing Prison Library Catalogue. Sing Sing, NY: 1901. 89.

MELVILLE, HERMAN. Mardi. Vol. I. 2078.
— “ “ II. 2079. […]
MELVILLE, HERMAN. Battle Pieces. 3737
Library Catalogue and Rule Book Connecticut State Prison. Wethersfield, CT: Monthly Record Press, 1902. 41, 69.

MELVILLE, HERMAN. Typee 2055
Omoo 2056
Moby Dick 2057
White Jacket 2058
Iowa State Penitentiary Catalogue. Anamosa, IA: Prison Press, 1903. 13.

Melville, Herman
Omoo 1673
Typee 1341
White Jacket 1288
Library Catalog and Rules for the Government of Prisoners in the Wisconsin State Prisoners. Democrat Printing Co., 1904. 58.

Melville, Herman
Typee: A Real Romance of the South Seas. 5753
Catalogue of the U. S. Penitentiary Library. Leavenworth, KS: U. S. Penitentiary Press, 1906. 43.

Melville, Herman. Typee. M49.1
A romance of the South sea.
Melville, Herman. White Jacket. M49
Duggan, Eileen and Rumana McManis. An Annotated Catalogue of the Wisconsin State Prison Library. [Waupun, WI]: [The Prison], 1915. 27.

MELVILLE, HERMAN
(o) Moby Dick Macrae
(o) Typee Harcourt […]
MELVILLE, Herman. Moby Dick, adapted by S. C. [Sylvia Chatfield] Bates. 1928 Scribner 88c
Jones, Perrie. 2500 Books for the Prison Library. Minneapolis, MN: Harrison & Smith, 1933. 11, 25.

4223 Melville (Herman). White-Jacket: or, the World in a Man-of-war.
1 col. 12mo. New-York, 1850.
4224 Melville (Herman). Redburn: his First Voyage.
1 vol. 12mo. New-York, 1850.
4225 Melville (Herman). Mardi, and a Voyage thither.
2 vols. 12mo. New-York, 1849.
4226 Melville (Herman). Typee: a Peep at Polynesian Life, during Four Months’ Residence in a Valley of the Marquesas.
1 vol. 12mo. New-York, 1849.
Catalogue of the Library, U. S. Military Academy, West Point, N. Y. Newburgh, NY: Charles Jannicky, 1876. 239.

Melville, Herman. Narrative of a four months’ residence among the natives of a valley of the Marquesas islands; or, a peep at Polynesian life. Lond., 1846.
2456: 23.
— Omoo: a narrative of adventures in the south seas; being a sequel to “The residence” in the Marquesas islands. Lond., 1847. 2456: 22.
— Typee: a peep at Polynesia life. N. Y. and Lond., 1846. 2456: 14.
Alphabetical Catalogue of the Navy Department Library. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1891. 342.

Melville, Herman. White-Jacket; or the world in a man-of-war. N. Y., 1850.
2111: 15.
Supplement to the Catalogue of the Navy Department Library. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1892. 58.

MELVILLE, HERMAN. Novels, as follows:
Mardi. | Redburn.
Moby Dick. | Typee.
Omoo. | White Jacket.
Pierre. | The Refugee. [Israel Potter]
Systematic Index to the Books of the St. Louis Public School Library. St. Louis, MO: Missouri Democrat Book and Job Printing House, 1866. 48.

MELVILLE, Herman. Redburn; his first voyage. N. Y. 1875. D. M5
Catalog of the Public School Library of Battle Creek, Mich. Lansing, MI: Robert Smith & Co., 1893. 94.

Melville, Herman. Omoo. (a) 4687
Melville, Herman. Typee. (a) 4688
Cotting, Sarah E. Marlborough Public Schools Pupils’ Catalogue of Public Library. Marlboro, MA: Times Job Print, 1896.

Melville, Herman. Bell-tower. In Tragedy; ed. by R. Johnson. p. 128-149. J637t
— Moby Dick; or, the whale. D. n. t. p. M4962m
Catalogue of All Books in the Circulating and Reference Departments of the Public School Library. Columbus, OH: Berlin Printing Co. 1897. 216.

MELVILLE, HERMAN. Moby Dick: or, The White Whale. 545 pp. Illus. Estes. $1.25. Gr. H. S.
A tale of whale-fishing in the Pacific, full of romance and adventure. There has been some revival of interest in the author’s works, which were published in the first half of the last century; Robert Louis Stevenson praised them highly, and Prof W. P. Trent pronounces Moby Dick “one of the most interesting sea stories written since the days of Cooper.”
— Typee. Ed. by W. P. Trent. 316 pp. Illus. H. S. C., Health. 45c. Gr. 7.
This edition contains map diagram of a sailing ship. The book is largely a narrative of actual experiences; an exceedingly interesting account of life in the South seas, but full of exciting adventure. The style is more simple and sincere than that of Moby Dick.
State of Maryland List of Books for Public School Libraries. Annapolis, MD: Department of Education, 1907.

Eighth Grade […]
1287 MELVILLE, HERMAN. Typee: life in the south seas; edited by W. P. Trent. Illustrated.
The actual experiences of two American sailors on the Marquesas islands, 1841, as full of adventure as “Robinson Crusoe.” With full description of a merchant sailing ship. D. C. Heath & Co .40
Catalogue of Books for Public School Libraries in the City of New York. Bureau of Libraries, 1907. 117.

Melville, Herman. The martyr. In Howe. The memory of Lincoln. 4399a.176
Abraham Lincoln Feb. 12, 1809 – Apr. 15, 1865: A Short List of Books for School Use Contained in the Public Library of the City of Boston. Boston, MA: Trustees of the Public Library, 1909.

1477. Melville, Herman. Moby Dick. Dutton. (Everyman’s library) (Library binding) $0.50
Realistic story of whale fishing in the Pacific. Baker.
A10—1954/2
1478. — Typee. Dutton. (Everyman’s library) (Library binding) $0.50
Adventure among the Pacific isles. Baker.
A10—2172/2
Wilson, Martha. Minnesota Library Books for High Schools. St. Paul, MN: Department of Education, 1917-18. 114.

6-8 Melville, Herman. Typee: Life in the South Seas.
Heath 60c
A book of adventure dealing with lands and scenes with which most pupils are not familiar.
“An Annotated, Classified and Graded List of Books Suitable for Use in Elementary School Libraries.” University of the State of New York Bulletin. August 15, 1919. 24.

MELVILLE, HERMAN.
12 Typee: a Peep into Polynesian Life, during a four month’s Residence in a valley of the Marquesa. (Lib. of Am. Books.)
Richardson, Wilson G. Catalogue of the Library of the University of Albabama. Tuscaloosa: M.D.J. Slade, 1848. 152.

Melville, Herman. Mardi and a voyage thither. 2 vols. 12 mo. New York, 1855.
— Moby Dick; or, the Whale. 12mo. New York. 1851.
— Omoo. 12mo. New York, 1858.
— Pierre; or, the Ambiguities. 12mo. New York, 1855.
— Redburn; his first voyage. 12mo. New York, 1850.
— Typee; a peep at Polynesian life, during a four months’ residence in the valley of the Marquesas. 12mo. New York, 1859.
— White Jackett. 12mo. New York, 1850.
Catalogue of the Library of the College of the City of New York. NY: 1877. 354.

Omoo. Melville. Waverly […]
Redburn. Melville. Select Novels. […]
Typee. Melville. […]
White Jacket. Melville.
Melville Herman, Moby-Dick or the Whale, [Vol.] 1 [Size] 12 [listed twice] […]
Piere, or the Ambiguities, by H. Melville, [Vol.] 1 [Size] 12
Catalogue of the Library of the Troy Young Men’s Association, 1850, Together with a Supplementary Catalogue,and a further List of Books added to the Library, down to February 20, 1852. Troy, NY: Troy Daily Whig Print, 1853. 47, 48, 83, 85, 90.

MELVILLE, H. Confidence-man: his masquerade. New York, 1857. 12*. 29.4
— Israel Potter. New York, 1855. 12* 26.5
— Omoo. 3d ed. New York, 1847. 12* 2 cop. 26.2.
Pierre; or the ambiguities. New York, 1852. 12* 29.4
Redburn: his first voyage. New York, 1849. 12* 29.4
The piazza tales. New York, 1856. 12* 29.4
— Typee. New York, 1849. 12* 26.2
— White-Jacket; or the world in a man of war. New York, 1850. 12* 29.4
Catalogue of the Library of the Troy Young Men’s Association. Troy, NY: Troy Young Men’s Association, 1859. 132.

MELVILLE, H. Typee; a Peep at Polynesia Life. 12mo. New York, 1846.
Catalogue of the Library of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y. Troy: 1880. 58.

Melville, Herman. Moby-Dick. Lond. [1892].
— Omoo. Lond.
— Typee: life by Stedman. Lond.
— White jacket. Lond. [1892].
University of Aberdeen Catalogue of the Books added to the Library in King’s College November 1891 to March 1894. Abderdeen, UP, 1894. 37.

Melville (Herman): Omoo: A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas; a Sequel to ‘Typee: or, The Marquesas Islanders.’ New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author, and Illustrations.
ap and illustr.; 8vo; London, 1893.
— — Typee: A Narrative of four Months’ Residence among the Natives of a Valley of the Marquesas Islands; or, A Peep at Polynesian Life. New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author and Illustrations.
Illustr. and map; London, 1893.
Royal Dublin Society General Catalogue of the Library to June, 1895. Dublin: University Press, 1896. 467.

MELVILLE, HERMAN, THe Whale, 3 cols, 1851 C 714-6
Catalogue of the Raffles Library, Singapore, 1900. Singapore: American Mission Press, 1905. 255.

The following is a list of the books added to the [Cardiff Central Library] LENDING DEPARTMENT since the publication of the March number:—
Melville (Herman). Moby Dick; or, the white whale, 1901. K 3188
— White Jacket; or, the world in a man-of-war, 1901. K 3188
Public Library Journal: Quarterly Magazine of the Cardiff and Penarth Free Public Libraries, and the Cardiff Museum 3(4). September 1901. 106, 112.

MELVILLE (HERMAN) Moby Dick, or, the white whale 80M1
— Typee. 80M3
— Omoo, a sequel to “Typee.” 80M2
Index Catalogue of the Pollokshields District Library. Glasgow: Robert Maclehose, 1909. 224.

Melville (Herman); Narrative of a four months’ residence among the natives of the Marquesas Islands; or a peep at Polynesian life. 12mo. Lond, 1846. [Press] XX [Shelf] i [No.] 23
Redburn; his first voyage. 2 cols. 8vo. Lond, 1907. [Press] MM [Shelf] i [No.] 25
Gothoskar, P. B. General Catalogue of the Library of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. Bombay: Society’s Library, 1917. 593.

To all Medical Officers in Charge of Hospitals:
This list of books has been prepared by Central Office with a view to establishing in all Bureau hospitals the nucleus of a popular and workable library for the use of patients and does not limit the extension of any library according to the needs of the particular hospital.
The value of the list is enhanced by the fact that the inclusion of a large proportion of the titles has been determined by the number of votes received from Bureau librarians indicating popularity. While the majority of titles have been chosen with ex-service men in mind, the reading tastes of ex-service women have also been considered in the selection. Outstanding authors have in some cases been omitted because their books are not the popular or wholesome type for hospital use.
Many newer titles are at present available only from the original publishers. As reprints appear in cheaper form they may be furnished in place of the editions indicated on the list and reasonable substitutions will also be made from stock when possible.
It is recommended that each Medical Officer in Charge requisition titles from this list from time to time until all are included in the library at his station unless equally current and standard books by other authors on all subjects covered are already on hand. Exception only shall be made in case of books on Psychology which will not be approved for general libraries in neuropsychiatric hospitals.
FRANK T. HINES,
Director. […]
Melville, Herman Moby Dick Dodd 3.50
United States Veterans Bureau. First 500 Titles for a Hospital Library. 1926.

Melville, Herman. Moby Dick. Modern lib. 95¢
Magnificent story of a whale-hunt, slowed down by philosophical discussions.
Jones, Perrie. One Thousand Books for Hospital Libraries: An Annotated Bibliography. U MN P, 1944. 17.

vanden Heuvel, Katrina. “This Week in ‘Nation’ History: How We Helped Start the ‘Melville Revival’ of the 1920s; An article in our pages in 1919 helped rescue the long-deceased scribe from obscurity and secured him a prominent place in the American canon.” The Nation. January 4, 2014. https://www.thenation.com/article/week-nation-history-how-we-helped-start-melville-revival-1920s/