1196

England, London--Controversial Mark Twain Book: Choice Works

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Books & Manuscripts Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 400.00 USD
England, London--Controversial Mark Twain Book: Choice Works
Preview
Holabird-Kagin Americana Office
3555 Airway Drive Suite#309
Reno, NV 89511
Thursday April 11, 10am-6pm
* Preview also available by appointment

Live Auction
Friday & Saturday
April 12-13, 2012
9am PDT starting time, both days

Location
Atlantis Casino & Resort
Grand Ballroom #4
3800 S. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89502

Lot Pick Up
Holabird-Kagin Americana Office
3555 Airway Drive Suite #309
Reno, NV 89511
Sunday April 14th, 10am-1pm

This 5.5 x 7.75 x 1.75 red cloth hardbound book carries within its gold embossed cover and lightly foxed pages an impressive history, full of intrigue. The front cover bears a gold embossing of a military caricature above the title William III.,/ King of Prussia. The spine, faded, is also embossed in gold, Choice Works of Mark Twain/ Portrait Illustrations/ Chatto Windus. This volume, Revised and Corrected by the Author, was published in 1877 by Piccadilly in London. Interestingly, this book--or some version of it--was first published illegally in 1873 by John Camden Hotton, who compiled some of Twain`s works into one book and sold it to capitalize on Twain`s widespread marketability throughout the United States and Europe. Mr. Hotten lacked permission to rebind and sell Twain`s works, and had the audacity to not forward any of the royalties to the author. International copyright laws of 1874 were notoriously difficult to enforce, hence Hotten`s attempt at this particular act of plagiarism and profiteering. Hotten died in 1874, before he was able to spend his ill-gotten money from the Twain book, leaving the publishing firm in the hands of his junior partner, Andrew Chatto. Chatto made amends with Twain, who eventually decided that--after revisions--the book was a good idea. Three years after the first pirated copy of this book was produced, the authorized edition you see here in this lot was finally published in London. In addition to this drama, the volume contains many stories in its 563 pages. The book concludes with a 32 page affixed booklet of other publications by Chattus and Windus. The corners of the cover are bent, stained, and frayed at some edges. The rear coverboard page bears a round portion of damage, perhaps from some seal or marker that had been improperly removed. HKA#62401