Twain, Mark (Samuel L. Clemens)

Hartford, Conn.: American Publishing Company; H. H. Bancroft and Company, San Francisco, 1869.

1869 edition, with 234 illustrations. An early American edition of Mark Twain's celebrated account of the 1867 Quaker City excursion to Europe and the Holy Land. The title page identifies the work as containing "Two Hundred and Thirty-Four Illustrations" and notes that it was issued by subscription rather than sold through ordinary bookstores. The copyright page is present and records the 1869 copyright by the American Publishing Co.

An attractive copy in contemporary full-leather binding, with raised bands and two black leather spine labels lettered in gilt, "THE INNOCENTS ABROAD" and "MARK TWAIN / ILLUSTRATED." The binding has acquired a warm, naturally aged patina, with rubbing, and surface wear consistent with its age.

The book has been professionally conserved and structurally restored. The original leather spine and its labels have been carefully retained and reattached over a new rebacked spine, preserving the character of the nineteenth-century binding while providing a sound and stable structure. The original plain brown endpapers have been replaced with high-quality archival natural paper. The text block is solid and suitable for regular handling.

Internally, the pages retain the expected character of a book of this age, with natural toning and scattered foxing and spotting. The title page and surrounding leaves show some additional age-related discoloration and minor handling wear. The illustrated list is present and the title page calls for 234 illustrations.

A particularly appealing copy for the collector of Mark Twain, nineteenth-century American literature, or historically significant American travel writing, combining an early 1869 printing with an attractive leather binding and thoughtful modern conservation.