Mark Twain [Samuel L. Clemens] — Mark Twain"S (Burlesque) Autobiography and First Romance

New York, Sheldon & Company, 1871 . First edition. Cloth. A smart first edition second impression of Twain"s early comic "autobiography," a mock-heroic family history with vignette engravings and the added appeal of a title Twain later tried to suppress. In the publisher"s original terracotta cloth binding. First edition, second impression, with the advertisement for Ball, Black & Co. to the verso of the title page. Illustrated with vignette engravings throughout. A short comic work containing two pieces: "A Burlesque Autobiography," first printed in Twain"s "Memoranda" contributions to The Galaxy, and "First Romance," first published in The Express in 1870. Despite the title, the work has nothing to do with Twain"s life. Its "autobiography" invents a mock-heroic ancestry for Twain, while First Romance builds up a melodramatic tale only to break it off with characteristic comic deflation. Deemed by the author as not one of his personal favourites, Twain bought all the printing plates of this book and destroyed them, two years after publication. With an additional page of advertisements to the rear, as well as a newspaper cutting of Twain and one of his other poems. In the publisher's original green cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Very slight shelf wear to extremities. Very slight blistering towards lower perimeter of front board. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean if characteristically age toned with one or two light spots to fore edge. Previous owner's ink inscription to head of title page. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None Stated. Very Good Indeed .