Description:

Published by Sheldon and Company, New York, 1871. First Edition, BAL s Second State with ad on verso of the title-page. Illustrated throughout. Title page reads "Mark Twain's (Burlesque) Autobiography and First Romance". Original cloth hardcover with gilt lettering to embossed designed cover. 47 pages, page 48 is an ad for The Galaxy magazine that Mark Twain frequently wrote in. ONE OF MARK TWAIN S EARLIEST BOOKS, HIS THIRD, and a completely fictional "biography" and account of his ancestry. It is a work loaded with irony and satire and composed of two stories which first appeared in The Express and in Twain s Memoranda contributions to the Galaxy. The illustrations, which are anonymous, are of particular interest. They have no relationship to the text of the book but appear rather to be cartoons illustrating the children s poem "The House that Jack Built". Their purpose was actually to lampoon the Erie Railroad Scandal and its participants, Jay Gould, John T. Hoffman and Jim Fisk. Two years after the initial publication Twain bought all of the printing plates and had them destroyed. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request

  • Dimensions: 5" x 7.5"
  • Condition: Very Good - Excellent Condition with no missing or torn pages

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May 25, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Canandaigua, NY, US

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