July 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, July 31st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/31/2014
Mark Twain twice-signed edition of ''The Works of Mark Twain'', published by Gabriel Wells: New York: 1922-1925. Complete 37 volume set; the first 8 volumes were published in 1922, volumes 9-35 were published in 1923 and the set concludes with Paine's ''Biography of Twain'', published in 1925. One of the most celebrated of American authors, Twain signs the first volume upon a tipped-in fly-leaf with both his given and pen names, ''S. L. Clemens / Mark Twain''. The preceding page is signed, ''Allen Bigelow Paine'' beneath a printed statement that reads in full, ''This fly-leaf was signed by Mark Twain in 1906 in anticipation of the present definitive edition of his works''. The signed leaves remained in the Harper & Co. vaults for more than a decade until Wells purchased the rights and published Twain's works posthumously. Edition is labeled as number 217 of 1,024. Complete set comprises 37 illustrated volumes, also featuring photogravure frontispieces and printed parchment sheets in every book. Volumes feature deckled edges and are bound in beige paper boards with blue cloth spines and applied paper labels. Each measures 6'' x 9''. Set weighs 50 pounds altogether. Toning to boards and wear to exteriors, especially to edges, and some volumes show cracking to interior hinges, absent spine labels, and some tearing to backstrips, else very good to near fine, with signed leaf in near fine condition.
Mark Twain Dual-Signed Copy of ''The Works of Mark Twain'' -- Signed Both as ''Mark Twain'' & ''S. L. Clemens''
Click above for larger image.