Work by Twain Mark: First Edition (6 results)

2 parts in one volume [as issued], small 8vo, pp 256; 258, [49 page catalogue of Chatto and Windus for 1874], with a frontispiece and title page vignette, bound in original horizontally ribbed sandy red cloth, lettered in gilt to spine and upper board, also lettered 'Companion to Murray's Guide.', binding faded in parts and with wear to joints, front endpaper waterstained, else very good. FIRST COMBINDED EDITION THUS; whether or not this was the actual firts combined edition to be published in London, the novelty value of this rare printing is the binding in imitation of a contemporary Murray's Guidebook, and even proclaimed as such on the upper cover. Whether such plagiarism met with Murray's disapproval or not, there is no doubt that Hotten issued it with his name at the foot of the spine, as also on the firts title page; the second titl page has Chatto's imprint, and their 1874 catalogue follows at the end, showing they at at least co-operated in the enterprise to an extent. Hotten was ruthless in lifting material and repackaging it from anywhere, in this case a pair Railway yellowbacks that now went well together. Whether the title has a place in a colletcion of Murry's guides is a matter of opinion, but it certainly qualifies as a curiosity. …

211 pp. 12mo, original printed wrappers. First edition. BAL p. 251. Some light dust-soiling and wear to the wrappers; a few tiny chips to the spine, affecting the "K" in "WORK." Signed, "Compliments of the Author / Will M. Clemens" in the upper corner of the title page.

First American Edition. Octavo, original green cloth, gilt lettering. Includes contributions by Louise Chandler Moulton, G. A. Henty, George MacDonald, Mark Twain, Wilkie Collins, Celia Thaxter, H. Rider Haggard. Very Good, spine end wear, top spine end cloth rubbed.

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First edition thus, one of a number of variants of this title issued by the publisher. 12mo. 259pp + ads. Purple cloth gilt. A bit of soiling on boards, spine a bit toned, very good or better. *BAL* 3602.

Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked, elaborately blind-tooled, pictorial cloth. Professionally recased with the original spine laid back; very impressively finished. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. ; 624 pages; Description: 624 p. Incl. Front. , illus. , plates. 23 cm. Subjects: Pilots and pilotage --Mississippi River -- Description and travel. The first copies contained an illustration, p. 441, showing Mark Twain in flames, whcih was omitted, at the request of Mrs. Clemens, in further printings of same t. -p. Date. Cf. Merle Johnson's bibliography. 2 Kg. 1st U.S. edition (St, Charles issue, p.443). …

Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked, elaborately blind-tooled, pictorial cloth. Professionally recased with the original spine laid back; very impressively finished. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. ; 624 pages; Description: 624 p. Incl. Front. , illus. , plates. 23 cm. Subjects: Pilots and pilotage --Mississippi River -- Description and travel. The first copies contained an illustration, p. 441, showing Mark Twain in flames, whcih was omitted, at the request of Mrs. Clemens, in further printings of same t. -p. Date. Cf. Merle Johnson's bibliography. 2 Kg. 1st U.S. edition (St, Charles issue, p.443). …