Mark Twain, American Claimant, 1st Edition 1892, illustrated by Beard

"The American Claimant", by Mark Twain, illustrated by Daniel Beard, published by Charles L. Webster, New York, 1892. First Edition with "1892" on the title page and copyright. [Reference: BAL 3434. Johnson, p.53. McBride, p. 134]

Hard boards, olive green cloth cover with gold lettering and black pictorial designs on cover and spine [a little wear and soiling: see photos], 5.1/2" x 8.1/4"; 'first' is written inside cover, a long ink written gift inscription to Marie by C.U. Castle, Christmas 1946 on the front endpaper, 277 pages + 8-page publisher's catalogue; frontispiece and 23 text illustrations. A little staining, very good condition.

Mark Twain wrote this novel with the help of recently by Edison invented phonographic dictation (precursor of the Dictaphone, supposedly the first author to do so. Another novelty is that, according to 'Introduction', "No weather will be found in this book. This is an attempt to pull a book through without weather." Indeed, all the weather in "The American Claimant" is contained in an appendix, at the back of the book, which the reader is encouraged to turn to from time to time.

"The American Claimant" is a comedy of mistaken identities and multiple role switches. Twain uses over-the-top comic frame to explore some serious issues as well -- such as the construction of self and identity, the role of the press in society, and the moral and social questions raised by capitalism and industrialization in the United States. A unique mixture of science fiction and fantasy, romance, farce, and political satire, Twain's least-known comic novel is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

"The American Claimant" is the second Twain novel illustrated by Daniel C. Beard. Mark Twain first noticed Beard's drawings in Cosmopolitan magazine and eagerly commissioned him to illustrate "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (1889): he was so convinced of the artist's talent that he gave him free rein to interpret the text as he pleased. Beard would go on to illustrate "The £1,000,000 Bank-Note", "Tom Sawyer Abroad" and "Following the Equator."

Daniel Carter Beard (1850-1941) was an American illustrator, author, youth leader, and social reformer. After the turn of the century he devoted himself mainly to organizing youth development groups and was a founding member of the Boy Scouts of America.

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