What is Man? (Limited edition)

New York: De Vinne Press, 1906. First edition. Near Fine. First edition, limited issue, number 143 of 250 copies; a presentation copy, inscribed beneath the limitation by Twain's friend and literary executor, "John S[andborn] Phillips from A[lbert] B[igelow] Paine." Second issue, as usual, with p. 131 ending, "thinks about | it" (APG). Original blue-gray boards, morocco label, gilt. Near Fine copy with a previous owner's bookplate (John C. Gerber). Lower corners gently bumped and faint soiling to front board. Inscribed by Twain's friend and literary executor, "John S[andborn] Phillips from A[lbert] B[igelow] Paine February 8, 1917." Lacking the publisher's glassine and cardboard slipcase.

The recipent was the publisher and co-founder of Mclure's Magazine, which published work by Twain, including dairy excerpts later collected in Following the Equator (1897).

In one of the major works of Twain's late years, he sets forth his Deterministic philosophy using Socratic dialogue form. Twain originally published the work anonymously, even concealing his identity from the publisher. The author's earnest debate on the nature of man, free will and destiny. The work also inspired science fiction writer Isaac Asimov in his story "...That Thou Art Mindful of Him," the title of which completes Psalm 8-4, the verse quoted by Twain for his own title.

Because Twain had the print run delivered directly to his home, giving away only a handful of copies in his final years, the remainder of the run disappeared for a time after his death. It is believed that upon his death in 1910, Paine took possession of the remaining copies to continue distributing them (as here).

BAL 3490. Near Fine.