The Writings of Mark Twain Autograph Edition

Hartford: American Publishing Company, 1899. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. As one early seller promised of this set: "The original, autographed and strictly limited edition of the works of Samuel L. Clemens complete in twenty five volumes. This edition was published at enormous expense, printed on hand made paper water marked. Each set is signed by Clemens, Charles W. Warner, Brander Matthews and the signatures of at least seventeen artists appear in the various volumes. Many so called "autographed editions" have been issued since this particular set was published, but none of them compare with this edition that was really the work of Samuel (truncated) L. Clemens and published under his personal supervision". (John J. Newbegin).

The lavishly produced 'Autograph Edition', in three-quarter morocco and gilt tops. The first 23 volumes were printed on special paper with a 'Clemens' watermark. All 25 volumes have the limitation page with number 374 in red ink, their frontispieces (depicting Twain at the time each work was first published), engraved Tiffany title pages, and illustrations with captioned tissue paper. Volume 1 has a typed description of the set quoted above on the letterhead of Newbegins Bookshop of San Francisco pasted to the endpaper, while Volume 25 has a loose leaf from Newbegins with an incomplete list of the locations of the autograph signatures.

Notes on condition: Three-quarter binding with marbled boards, raised bands, lettering and ornamentation gilt, top edges gilt, other edges untrimmed. Spines are faded to different degrees. Occasional uncut page. Overall very good.

Volume I starting joints have been professionally repaired and strengthened; Volume X, small stain to inner margin of first few pages; Volume XV, dirty fingerprint on limitation page, stain on tissue of frontispiece; Volume XVI, visible discoloration to inner margin of title page; Volume XIX, spine more worn than the others; Volume XX, dirty fingerprint on limitation page; Volume XXII, tissue to frontispiece is torn; Volume XXIII, chip to upper edge of spine; Volume XXIV, both hinges just starting.

Autographs: Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens, limitation page of Volume I; Brander Matthews, page xxxiii of Volume I, at the conclusion of his 'Biographical Criticism' essay; Peter Newell, p337 'The Tomb of Adam' Volume II; T. de Thulstrup, Frontispiece Volume IV; Frederick Dielman, 'Hanuman moving the mountains' Volume V; Charles Noel Flagg, Frontispiece portrait Volume VI (List of illustrations describes a different frontis?); B. West Clinedust, Frontispiece 'An inferior sort of murder' Volume VIII; E. H. Garrett, p.44 'Steamboat a-coming' Volume IX; Chas. Dudley Warner, limitation page Volume X; J.G. Brown, p.32 'Tom gave up the brush', Volume XII; Karl Gerhardt, Frontispiece image of bust, Volume XIII; Charles Noel Flagg, Frontispiece Volume XIV; E. W. Kemble, p.221 'Make the prints that will hang you', Volume XIV; F.M. Senior, p.227 'I thought I would write a little story', Volume XIV; Frank Merrill, p.32 'Doff thy rags and don these splendors' Volume XV; Dan Beard, p. 166 'Sandy's curious delusion', Volume XVI; F. V. Du Mond, Frontispiece 'The Maid of Orleans', Volume XVIII; F. Opper, p.30 'Flies, Dan'l, flies!', Volume XIX; A.B. Frost, p.138 'I reckon I got to be excused' Volume XX; Allen St. John, p.170 'Colonel Sellers introduces Sally to Lord Berkley' Volume XXI; F. Luis Mora, p.48 'Listening to History' Volume XXIII. As a large, heavy set, this order will be carefully packed and may incur additional shipping charges. (Inventory #: 2023-P222)