Mark Twain, Autobiography Compl. 2vol. 1stEd 1924 ill.

"Mark Twain's Biography" with an Introduction by Albert Bigelow Paine published by Harper & Brothers; New York and London, MCMXXIV [1924] on the bottom of the title pages, and 1924 copyright. Both volumes are later printing with the letter code 'K-Y' [October 1924]. Note: 1st printing was issued in August (BAL 3537). Complete in 2 volumes.

Hard boards, original publisher's dark-blue cloth with gold facsimile of MT signature on the front boards and gold lettering on spines [some soiling and wear, Vol.II has two small damages on spine: see photos]; top has gilt page edge; 6.1/2" x 9.1/2"; signature of former owner on the front endpapers, each volume has a sepia monochrome frontispiece photograph of MT; 368 + 365 pages + publisher's two pages of ads in rear of volume 2 with Harper's Mark Twain books. Index in each volume. Very good condition.

First edition of Twain s life from his own perspective, with an introduction by Albert Bigelow Paine.

Twain s Autobiography was a work that took years and years to complete. Twain himself dictated the work over long intervals with the stipulation that it would not be published until many years following his death. It includes personal anecdotes, humorous and serious life stories, memories of his family, and his days as a youth in rural Missouri.

"These chapters were handwritten, his memory was fresh and eager, and in none of his work is there greater charm. As he proceeded, he did not confine himself to his earlier years, but traveled back and forth, setting down whatever was in his mind at the moment. He worked incidentally at this record for two or three years, eventually laying it aside for more immediate things. Five years later, in Florence, where he had taken Mrs. Clemens for her health, he again applied himself to what he now definitely termed his 'Autobiography.' As in that earlier day, he dictated, and this time found it quite to his liking. He completed some random memories of more or less importance, and might have carried the work further but for his wife's rapidly failing health. Her death and his return to America followed, and there was an interval of another two years before the autobiographical chapters were again resumed." [From the Introduction]

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