TWAIN, Mark [pseudonym of CLEMENS, Samuel (1835-1910)]. The Innocents Abroad, or The New Pilgrims’ Progress… Hartford, Conn.: American Publishing Company, 1869. 8vo. With frontispiece, engraved title-page and 14 plates inserted throughout. Numerous intertextual illustrations. 651, [652-656, ads] pp. Publisher’s full black cloth, boards decoratively ruled in blind, front board and spine stamped in gilt (rebound, preserving the original boards and spine, front joint with a small crack at upper edge, some minor restoration at the front board at the lower margin, some gutters overopened, some occasional toning, soiling, creasing in text, first blank with short tears at inner margin (not affecting inscription)). Very good.
FIRST EDITION, BAL’S THIRD ISSUE, PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY TWAIN ON THE FIRST BLANK: “This book is given to Miss Jane Findlay Shunk, With the Kindest regards of Mark Twain [flourish] Harrisburgh, [sic] Jan. 21 / 72.” The recipient has signed her name on the title-page. Jane Findlay Shunk (1792-1878) was the daughter of Pennsylvania Governor William Findlay (1768-1846) and the wife of Pennsylvania Governor Francis Rawn Shunk (1788-1848). This humorous travel book was Twain’s best selling work during his lifetime, and is one of the best selling travel books of all time. This book chronicles his travels on the U. S. S. Quaker City throughout Europe and the Holy Land. Housed in brown cloth clamshell case. BAL 3316.