Description
First edition, first printing of The American Claimant by Mark Twain, in a decorative three quarter morocco binding.
Octavo, xv, [1], 17-277pp, [8pp ads]. Three-quarter red morocco, gilt-ruled border. Five raised bands, title in gilt on spine. Top edge gilt. Matching marbled paper boards and endpapers. Same date printed on title page and copyright page, no additional printings listed. Solid text block, faint wear to corners, wear to rear hinge. Publisher’s original green cloth spine and covers bound in at rear. Housed in a custom red cloth slipcase. (BAL 3434) An attractive example.
From the collection of Mary Hopkins Searles (1818-1891), one of the richest women in the United States after the death of her husband, the owner of Central Pacific Railroad, Mark Hopkins Jr. The calling card of “Mrs. Mark Hopkins” is affixed to front endpaper.
