August 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, August 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2013
''The Writings of Mark Twain'' 37 volume set, signed by America's foremost author in Volume 1. Gabriel Wells: New York: 1922-1925. This ''Definitive Edition'' Gabriel Wells set was announced in 1922 and was marketed to wealthy collectors. Illustrated with photogravure frontis portraits and roughly 160 illustrations throughout the set. This is set #198 of 1024 with a tipped-in leaf signed by Mark Twain as: ''S.L. Clemens / Mark Twain'' in the first volume. Bound opposite sheet is signed additionally by Mark Twain's biographer Albert Bigelow Paine after his explanatory about the signed leaves: ''The fly-leaf was signed by Mark Twain in 1906 in anticipation of the publication of this edition which did not appear until after his death.'' Octavo books are bound in paper and blue cloth spines with printed paper spine labels. Some discoloration to spines of each volume and almost all have dampstaining to front pastedown and free endpaper. Two volumes have missing labels on the spine, a few others have loose labels, and the binding is a little loose on the first signed volume. Overall very good, and a nearly-immaculate keepsake from America's most famous and accomplished writer. Signature page is near fine.
''The Writings of Mark Twain'' 37 Volume Set -- Signed Both ''S.L. Clemens'' and ''Mark Twain'' to Volume 1
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