THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER

1876. Hartford [etc.]: The American Publishing Company, 1876. 4 pp ads dated 1 Dec 1876. Original blue cloth decorated in black and gilt.

First American Edition, second state (i.e. with the frontispiece on the verso of the half-title, rather than on a separate adjacent leaf). Because such copies appear on laid paper, on wove paper, or on a combination of both papers, it is uncertain whether this second state consists of one or two (or possibly even three) printings. This copy is printed throughout on laid paper, and has mispaginated preliminary leaves (Blanck's "arbitrarily designated" state A). In our experience this second state is the variant of TOM SAWYER usually encountered -- though TOM has become somewhat uncommon in any state (much less common than HUCKLEBERRY FINN, for example). Close to near-fine, this copy is unusually bright, including the gilt both on the front cover and on the spine. It does have moderate wear at the extremities, and along the fore-edge of the first two (blank) leaves; the inner hinges are intact. (Obviously the first state is preferable, but a copy in this condition would have a price between $15,000 and $25,000). One of the great classics of American literature, as enjoyable today as it was 150 years ago. Blanck 3369; McBride pp 40-42; a Johnson High Spot ("recognized as one of the supreme portrayals of boy character"). Provenance: armorial bookplate of Samuel Strong Spaulding (1849-1933, of Buffalo and Cooperstown), with his penciled signature dated February 1877.