MARK TWAIN 1874 THE GILDED AGE First Edition w/Early State VG Restored Binding

Description: THE GILDED AGE Co-written by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner. Published by American Publishing Company, Hartford; copyright 1873. This is the first edition; a mixed state with 1874 on the title page. There is no preference of dates as copies with the earliest states of the text are found with both 1873 and 1874 title pages. THE GILDED AGE appeared at the end of 1873. Although some copies carry an 1873 date most are dated 1874... including most of the 60 advance review copies sent out in wrappers and the copy that co-author Warner presented his mother on the day of publication. This is an early state copy with the dual publisher’s imprint on the title page and no ad pages in back. Here are the following BAL first state points: 1. neither state A or B; the ads at the back of the book are not present (this is often found in first state books and copies for the San Francisco agent). 2. state A; artist White present on title page 3. state A; on page vii, Eschol Sellers instead of Beriah 4. state B; page xvi, final illustration numbered 211 instead of 212 5. state B; page 246, 5 up Hallelujah instead of Halleluiah 6. state B; page 280, line 18 Dr. Jackson. instead of Dr. Jackson (no period). 7. and 8. state B; on pages 351 and 353 lines are not repeated and thus are absent (state A is rarely found and was likely changed very early in the printing process) 9. state A; illustration NOT present on page 403. The fold-out map of the Salt-Lick railroad which is often torn out and missing (as well as not being present in later editions) is in excellent shape in this copy. This is Twain’s first novel, coauthored by his neighbor and fellow author, Charles Dudley Warner. According to Twain's biographer, Albert Bigelow Paine, they were at dinner together and were challenged by their wives to write a better novel than the contemporary crop of novels they were lambasting. Twain wrote the first eleven chapters, followed by twelve chapters written by Warner. Most of the remaining chapters were also written by only one of them, but the concluding chapters were attributed to joint authorship. It tells the story of Colonel Sellers and the Hawkins family in their relentless pursuit of wealth. It satirizes the very American concept of wealth as a worthy end in itself as well as greed and political corruption in post–Civil War America. That era took on the name of the title of this book—The Gilded Age. Although more than a century has passed since its publication, the novel's satirical observations of political and social life in Washington, D.C., are still seen as pertinent. DESCRIPTION: 574 pages 9 x 6 inches first edition/early state hardcover CONDITION: This book is in very good condition with some restoration. It is in the original publisher’s dark brown cloth with the gilt designs on the spine and front board. The book has been rebound and recased into its original cover. The cloth cover has been cleaned as much as possible and the corners and spine ends repaired with the same book cloth. The book originally had the spine completely covered with tape which did some damage to the spine gilt. There has been some retouching of the gilt on the spine which is not extensive and most of the gilt is original. The original endcaps have been retained. The textblock has been rebound into the cover using new cotton cloth spine reinforcing (instead of the original cheap mesh mull). The original endpapers have been retained with the hinges reinforced with cloth and similar colored paper. Authentic and archival materials have been used throughout--non acidic glues and pastes, nonacidic Japanese papers for reinforcing, etc. The front endpapers are somewhat soiled and there is a small paper repair on the lower edge near the hinge. The rear endpaper is missing and replaced with a new similarly colored one. The rest of the book is very clean--no other marks or major tears. The pages show less toning with age than is usual with this book. The book is complete with all original cover, pages, maps and illustrations present. It is difficult to find this book in better condition or to find one that looks as attractive on the shelf! The book will come with a fitted, clear mylar cover. BECAUSE MEDIA RATE SHIPPING IS FREE ON THE BOOKS I SELL, COMBINE THIS WITH OTHER ITEMS FROM MY EBAY STORE. I AM AN EXPERIENCED EBAY SELLER (23+ YEARS) AND SHIPPER WITH 100% (always!--since 1997!) FEEDBACK RATING. ALL ITEMS ARE CAREFULLY AND SECURELY PACKED TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE DANGER OF CRUSHING AND OR WATER/MOISTURE DAMAGE. ALL BOOKS ARE SHIPPED IN STURDY BOXES WITH TRACKING AND DELIVERY CONFIRMATION INCLUDED. I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE ALL OF THE BOOKS, AUTOGRAPHS AND SIGNATURES ON BOOKS I SELL.

Price: 349.99 USD

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

End Time: 2024-07-30T19:09:52.000Z

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