Mark Twain — The Prince and the Pauper

Boston , James R. Osgood, 1882 . First edition. Cloth. The first edition, first printing of Mark Twain's work of historical fiction, profusely illustrated throughout. The first US edition, first printing, with the Franklin Press imprint on the verso of the title page, "Estate" to page 124 and "Reigned" to page 362. BAL 3402. As stated in the Bibliography of American Literature, "The London and Montreal editions of this work "were issued some days prior to the Boston edition". Bound in the publisher's original green cloth. Mark Twain's popular historical fiction novel, following the young Edward VI and his look-alike, Tom Canty. The novel concerns the ascension of the nine year old Edward and his friendship with the pauper Tom, who lives with his abusive alcoholic father. This novel was Twain's first attempt at historical fiction. Illustrated with a frontispiece, a facsimile plate of Hugh Latimer's letter to Lord Cromwell on the birth of the Prince of Wales, and many in-text illustrations throughout. Bound in the publisher's original green cloth. Externally, sound, with rubbing to cloth causing small tears and slight fraying. Damp staining to cloth, heavier to the rear board. Spine is a little cockled and faded, with marks to cloth. Hinges are slightly strained, but holding firm. Rear paste down is cockled. Lacking free endpapers. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages are bright, with handling marks dotted throughout. Tide mark to the first 40 pages and to the rear, with pages a little cockled. Good Only . Ill.: Not Stated. Good Only .