Life on the Mississippi
London: Chatto & Windus, 1883. First Edition. Octavo. Item #027529
The English edition preceded the American. 32 pages of ads dated March 1883. Frontispiece with tissue guard. Endpapers printed in brown and leaf pattern. It lists the St. Charles Hotel as does the second state of the American edition. Blanck 3411 notes that the first state has St. Louis Hotel as well as the urn flames head of Mark Twain which Twain's wife had removed which she considered too morbid. Note: While some state it was published several days before the American edition, it is clear that from internal evidence that it is the first English printing of the second state. The external evidence which Blanck cites as advertised on April 28, 1883 but published on May 12. The day of publication was listed as April 28 though the three copies deposited were on May 17. While there is an unsigned bookplate, the main point is this is a near fine copy of the first English edition and remarkably bright with just a bit of fading to spine and a couple of minute closed tear to head. A very nice sharp cornered copy. [Blanck 3410].
Price: $725.00