MARK TWAIN'S SKETCHES, New and Old.
Now First Published in Complete Form. Sold only by Subscription. Hartford, Conn., and Chicago, Ill.: The American Publishing Company, 1875. Original three-quarter morocco with paneled spine and brown cloth boards, all page edges gilt.
First Edition, second and usual issue, of this collection of amusing sketches. These sketches are quite "early Twain"; his next literary attempt would be THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER (1876). In this second issue, the p. 119 footnote is NOT inadvertently repeated on p. 120, and "From 'Hospital Days" (not by Twain) does NOT appear on p. 299.
The binding of this copy, three-quarter morocco, is one of the deluxe original publisher's bindings for which a subscriber paid extra; this copy furthermore has gilt page edges, for which a subscriber paid even more. It is in very good-plus condition (minor scuffing at the extremities), with the spine gilt unusually bright. The deluxe morocco binding, especially with gilt page edges, is quite uncommon. McBride p. 35 (citing seven second issue copies but only two first issue ones); Blanck 3364. Item #15629
Price: $575.00