THE DEFINITIVE EDITION OF TWAIN’S WORKS, ONE OF 1024 COPIES BEARING HIS SIGNATURE

TWAIN, Mark. Works. New York: Gabriel Wells, 1922-23. Thirty-five volumes. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter navy morocco gilt, raised bands, marbled boards and endpapers, top edges gilt, uncut. $18,500.

“Definitive Edition” of Twain’s writings, number 765 of 1024 sets with a specially prepared leaf signed by the author ( “S.L. Clemens / Mark Twain”) in 1906 in Volume I.

"High and fine literature is wine," Twain once wrote, "and mine is only water; but everybody likes water." This beautiful edition of Twain's complete novels, essays and sketches attests to the enduring popularity and power of his works—many of which, despite their author's protestation to the contrary, have come to be regarded as among the finest vintage American literature offers. Among other classics, the set includes A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Life on the Mississippi, and the adventures of both Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, as well as Albert Paine Bigelow's influential and long-standard biography of him. Illustrated with 174 plates.

Interiors fine, many volumes with bindings expertly and subtlety repaired, primarily to joints and spine ends. Still an attractive, sound and near-fine signed set.