1897 MARK TWAIN FOLLOWING THE EQUATOR First Edition VG Restored

Description: FOLLOWING THE EQUATOR Written by Mark Twain, (Samuel L. Clemens). Published by The American Publishing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. Copyright 1897; this book was printed in 1897. It is a first edition, first state with the following points: The single line imprint “Hartford, Connecticut” only (and not with New York) and with signature "11" at bottom of page 161 as called for by BAL ( although in my experience, nearly all these books, including the 1898 printings, have this signature mark on them). With portrait frontispiece from a photograph of the author and 192 other illustrations by notable illustrators as A. B. Frost, Peter Newell and Dan Beard or from photographs. FOLLOWING THE EQUATOR is a “non-fiction” travelogue, the 4th he published in his life. Twain was practically bankrupt in 1894 due to a failed investment into a "revolutionary" typesetting machine. In an attempt to extricate himself from a debt of over $100,000 (equivalent to about $2 million today) he undertook a tour of the British Empire in 1895, a route chosen to provide numerous opportunities for lectures in the English language. He also returned to American Publishing Company, the subscription publisher (not for sale in bookstores--subscription only) which was a very successful formula with his previous 3 travelogues, The Innocents Abroad, 1869, Roughing It, 1872, and A Tramp Abroad, 1880. The account of this travel was published in 1897. In it Twain unmasks and criticizes racism, imperialism and missionary zeal in observations woven into the narrative with his classic and well-known wit and humor. This book was one of the first to include real photographs printed with the new half-tone process. DESCRIPTION: 712 pages 9 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches first edition hardcover CONDITION: This book is in very good condition with some restoration. It is in the original publisher’s blue cloth with the gilt edged paper insert of the elephant on the front board. The cloth cover has been restored with color applied to the back board and repairs done to the spine ends. All of the gilt is original. The book is big and heavy, and combined with the acidity of the endpapers used and the lack of reinforcing when bound leads to nearly all these books having shaken bindings. I have rarely seen this book without both hinges open. Therefore, the text block has been rebound with heavier duty cloth backing (replacing its original cheap mesh mull) and tapes (as it was originally bound with) and then recased into its cover. The original endcaps have been retained. The original endpapers have been retained with the hinges reinforced with similar colored paper. The frontispiece portrait has had its old tissue guard, which was missing, replaced. The frontispiece photo and title page are remarkably without foxing. The rest of the book is clean--no other marks or tears, but there are a few smudges on some pages. The pages are moderately toned with age as is usual with this book. There is some slight damage to the lower edges of pages 39-41 and one page has a folded over upper corner. The book is complete with all original cover, pages 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: 399.99 USD

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

End Time: 2024-08-30T19:14:09.000Z

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