Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawyer's Comrade)
New York: Charles L. Webster and Company, 1885. First Edition. Full leather over boards. Octavo. 366 pages.
Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" is a cornerstone of American literature, and was groundbreaking in its use of vernacular dialogue and its bold critique of societal norms and racial injustices. Its impact on narrative style and its influence on the trajectory of American writing are unparalleled. Hemingway famously said of this masterpiece, “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since.”
This copy exhibits the "A" state of 7 of the 8 points of issue noted in McBride. The plate on page 283 shows a straight trouser fly and is on a tipped in leaf (McBride state "C"). It exhibits an additional first state issue point on page 9, with Chapter VI title containing "Huck decided to leave," which appears as "Huck decides to leave" in later states.
Beautifully bound in green leather over boards with gilt-titled and ornamented spine with five raised bands, gilt stamped signature on upper board, all edges gilt, with marbled endpapers. A stunning copy of one of the most important books in American literature.
Ref. MCBRIDE pp. 92-110.
Modern full leather binding with new endpapers. A few scattered spots of light browning here and there inside, a hint of browning to spine, else clean and sound. Fine overall.
Item #1631
Price: $5,000