LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI
by Twain, Mark [Clemens, S. L.]
- Used
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Austin, Texas, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Twain, Mark [Clemens, S. L.] LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI. Boston: James R. Osgood, 1883. First edition, first state, intermediate state B. Original brown pictorial cloth, gilt. Near fine copy with only minor rubbing at spine ends. Without the illustration of Twain's head in flames at p. 441, but with the caption "St. Louis Hotel" at p. 443. Twain considered this work to be his masterpiece. Chapter 31 contains the first use of fingerprints to solve a crime in fiction, described by Colin Wilson as "a remarkable anticipation of a scientific discovery that was then known to less than half a dozen men." Queen's Quorum, p. 45. BAL 3411.
Synopsis
Life on the Mississippi is a memoir by Mark Twain detailing his days as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before and after the American Civil War. The book begins with a brief history of the river from its discovery by Hernando de Soto in 1542. It continues with anecdotes of Twain's training as a steamboat pilot, as the 'cub' of an experienced pilot. He describes, with great affection, the science of navigating the ever-changing Mississippi River.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Mac Donnell Rare Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 24181
- Title
- LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI
- Author
- Twain, Mark [Clemens, S. L.]
- Book Condition
- Used
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Keywords
- MISSISSIPPI , SOUTH , BLACK , QUEEN , DETECTIVE , SLAVERY
Terms of Sale
Mac Donnell Rare Books
15 day return guarantee if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Mac Donnell Rare Books
Biblio member since 2006
Austin, Texas
About Mac Donnell Rare Books
The owner of Mac Donnell Rare Books is a former rare book librarian and widely published bibliographer with more than 40 years experience in rare books. We maintain a fine rare book inventory of 19th and 20th century American and English literary first editions, association copies, and autographs, with a specialty in Mark Twain. We also offer qualified tax and insurance appraisals, and library development consultation.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- First State
- used in book collecting to refer to a book from the earliest run of a first edition, generally distinguished by a change in some...
- BAL
- Bibliography of American Literature (commonly abbreviated as BAL in descriptions) is the quintessential reference work for any...
- Rubbing
- Abrasion or wear to the surface. Usually used in reference to a book's boards or dust-jacket.
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
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