BALB/c mice were immunized with the murine antihuman high-molecular-weight melanoma-associated antigen monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) 149.53, 225.28, 653.25, and 763.74. Antiidiotypic antibodies could be detected in bleedings obtained 3 days following the first booster, increased in titer in bleedings obtained following the second booster, and persisted at high level in bleedings obtained 38 days following the second booster. Cross-blocking studies with a panel of anti-melanoma-associated antigen, anti-HLA Class I, and anti-HLA Class II monoclonal antibodies showed that the antisera recognize private idiotypes. The latter are located within the antigen combining site, since antiidiotypic antisera specifically inhibited the binding of the corresponding immunizing anti-human high-molecular-weight melanoma-associated antigen monoclonal antibody to cultured human melanoma cells Colo 38 in a dose-dependent fashion. The spectrotype of the anti-MoAb 149.53 antiserum comprises eight major components in the range of pH 6.2 to 7.0; those of the anti-MoAb 225.28 antiserum and of the anti-MoAb 653.25 antiserum, two major components in the ranges of pH 6.4 to 6.6 and 6.5 to 6.7, respectively; and that of the anti-MoAb 763.74 antiserum, three major components in the range of pH 6.2 to 6.4.