TWAIN, Mark; CLEMENS, Samuel Langhorne

Mark Twain's Sketches, New and Old

Hartford, Conn.: The American Publishing Company, 1875. Item #06552

Twain’s Early Comic Mastery in Its Grand Subscription Form
First Edition, Second State - In the Original Gilt Binding

TWAIN, Mark. Mark Twain’s Sketches, New and Old. Now First Published in Complete Form. Hartford, Conn.: The American Publishing Company, 1875.

First edition, second state (without the 11-line skit “From Hospital Days”). Quarto (8 3/8 x 6 1/2 inches; 213 x 165 mm.). [viii], 17–320 pp.

Publisher’s blue cloth, covers and spine richly decorated in gilt and black, peach endpapers. Rear inner hinge cracked, extremities a bit worn. An excellent example, retaining the strong visual appeal of the elaborate original binding.

A major early collection of Twain’s shorter writings, bringing together a wide range of sketches, essays, and comic pieces that established his reputation as America’s leading humorist. Issued by subscription, as was customary for the American Publishing Company, the book was designed as a large, visually impressive volume, its bold gilt decoration intended to command attention in the Victorian home.

The present copy is the first edition, second state, identifiable by the omission of the brief 11-line skit “From Hospital Days.” While the priority issue includes this passage, the second state reflects early resetting and remains entirely contemporary with the first publication.

The contents include many of Twain’s most celebrated shorter works, spanning frontier humor, travel writing, and social satire - offering a panoramic view of his development from Western journalist to national literary figure.
Despite some wear, the binding remains handsome and displayable, with the characteristic gilt decoration still clearly defined - an increasingly uncommon survival in collectible condition.

An important early Twain title, presented in its original and highly decorative publisher’s binding.

BAL 2, 3364.

Price: $750.00