The Writings of Mark Twain
by [Clemens, Samuel L.]
$25,000 · Offered by Biblio
Signed
New York: Gabriel Wells, 1925. The Definitive Edition, copy 94 of 1024 sets, with the double signature of the author on the front flyleaf of the first volume ("S. L. Clemens | Mark Twain"). Title-pages printed in red and black with engraved vignette of a steamboat, frontispieces and numerous plates with red-captioned tissue-guards. 37 vols. 8vo. Three-quarter brown crushed morocco and tan cloth by Stikeman, spines gilt in six compartments, top edges gilt, others uncut, minor rubbing and wear. Provenance: R. S. Newbold (signature on front endpaper). The Definitive Edition, copy 94 of 1024 sets, with the double signature of the author on the front flyleaf of the first volume ("S. L. Clemens | Mark Twain"). Title-pages printed in red and black with engraved vignette of a steamboat, frontispieces and numerous plates with red-captioned tissue-guards. 37 vols. 8vo. Unusually, this set includes a leaf in Clemens' hand from the original manuscript of A Tramp Abroad, from Chapter 37, beginning: "steadily & at last they were become loud & savage. A mutiny ensued..." In all the leaf, penned recto only in purple ink, comprises approx. 55 words with significant cross outs. Indeed the entire lower half of the leaf has been crossed out by Clemens concerning the murder of a guide. See the Maurice Neville Collection sale, part III, lot 4 (Sotheby's New York, April 24, 2017) for a set in the same binding, likely bound by Stikeman for Wells, with a different leaf from Tramp Abroad (sold for $32
- Publisher: Gabriel Wells
- Year: 1925
- Edition: The Definitive Edition, copy 94 of 1024 sets, with the double si
- Binding: unknown
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