CLEMENS, SAMUEL L. | The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Hartford: The American Publishing Company, 1876

The Property of a Gentleman

CLEMENS, SAMUEL L.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Hartford: The American Publishing Company, 1876

8vo (8 ⅜ x 6 ½ in.; 213 x 165 mm). Frontispiece and numerous wood-engraved text illustrations by True Williams and others, 4-page publisher's advertisements at end, versos of half-title and preface blank; a few small stains, closed tears to lower margins of pp. 99-102. Publisher's blue cloth, stamped in gilt and black, all edges gilt, peach coated endpapers; light rubbing to edges and extremities, rear hinge starting. Housed in a half morocco slipcase and cloth chemise.

First edition, first printing.

"The irresponsibility, the love of odd adventure, and the sense of natural justice as opposed to the village code, which characterize the heroes of this book and its sequel Huckleberry Finn, presented a sharp contrast to the Sunday School or rags-to-riches literature which was then the common fare doled out to children... these books let fresh air into the minds of parents who had shut the door on their own childhood, and they will be classics the world over as long as there are boys" (Grolier American 79).

REFERENCE:

BAL 3369; Johnson p. 27

PROVENANCE:

Mildred Greenhill (bookplate)