[Mark Twain's Calendar for 1910.]

(Twain, Mark)

New York: Harper & Brothers, [1909]. Original printed self-wrapper, hinged at the top.

First Edition. This rare booklet was issued by Harper in an effort to promote the "Author's National Edition" of Mark Twain's Works, which was released in late 1909 (about six months before Twain's death). It consists of six 4" x 9" pages (actually three 4" x 18" leaves, hinged with one staple at the top). On each page are two months of the 1910 calendar, a portrait of Twain (the last two of which are seldom seen elsewhere), an illustration from a Twain book, a Twain aphorism -- plus at the bottom, a "Cut Off and Mail To-day" slip to order the 25-volume set ("If I keep the books, I will remit to you $2.00 a month until the full price, $25.00, has been paid").

Condition is very good-plus: there is a short (half-inch) tear in the side of all the leaves, and there is a bit of wear along the hinge (at the top); also, the recipient of this particular copy "bit"! -- the mail-in coupon on the first leaf has been cut off and presumably mailed in.

This 1910 calendar is unrecorded in Twain bibliographies, though Blanck 3662 cites one other, a "1904 [1903?]" one without description but probably by Harper. Very uncommon: there were later Twain calendars issued after his death, but not by Harper, and not promoting a Twain work like this one. Item #15844

Price: $375.00