Twain, Mark

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; Tom Sawyer Abroad; Tom Sawyer, Detective (One Volume) with: Tom Sawyer Abroad

ISBN: 0520033531;0195101
Berkeley, CA; New York, NY: The Iowa Center for Textual Studies/ University of California Press; Oxford University Press, 1980. First Editions Thus. Hardcovers. The three classic novels by Mark Twain (1835-1910) featuring his immortal character Tom Sawyer in one volume, along with another edition of one of the three works: (1) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; Tom Sawyer Abroad & Tom Sawyer, Detective, published for the Iowa Center for Textual Studies by the University of California Press, 1980. As noted on front flap, "The editors' objectives have been to establish accurate and critically sound texts...and to provide comprehensive introductions and explanatory notes that might document the history of Mark Twain's composition, publication, and public reception as well as clarify his allusions and in some instances his language. No such editions have been attempted before. Moreover, the texts of the three works had degenerated through successive resettings to the point where no text currently available could be trusted." The three Tom Sawyer novels (originally published in 1876, 1894 & 1896 respectively) are here painstakingly restored to Twain's original specifications, & followed by vast appendices of notes, references & a selected sampling of illustrations from the first edition of the first Tom Sawyer novel- all written & compiled by editors Paul Bander, John C. Gerber & Terry Firkins, who also provide a collective, footnoted introduction. Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket, first edition thus, a handsome & thorough academic production. (2) Tom Sawyer Abroad, Oxford University Press, 1996. As stated in Editor's Note, "The Oxford Mark Twain consists of twenty-nine volumes of facsimiles of the first American editions of Mark Twain's works, with an editor's foreword, new introductions, afterwords, notes on the texts, and essays on the illustrations in volumes with artwork." This volume in the series reproduces the first edition published by Charles L. Webster & Company in 1894 including all original illustrations. Edited by Shelley Fisher Fishkin, with an introduction by the late great American journalist Nat Hentoff & afterword by M. Thomas Inge. "This rollicking adventure novel brings back Twain's best-loved characters- Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and the freed slave Jim- for a balloon trip around the world...this lively tale of far-off exploits is, as Twain wrote, "a story that will not only interest boys but any man who has ever been a boy, which immensely enlarges the audience." The book's comic tall tales and bold escapades are punctuated by a series of animated conversations among the three friends...Adventure, burlesque, and serious commentary on society and its failings make Tom Sawyer Abroad an engaging and memorable book." (from front flap) Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket, first trade edition thus, first printing as indicated by number sequence on copyright page. All three of the Tom Sawyer novels in one collectible volume of outstanding scholarship; & a collectible edition of the middle novel by Samuel Langhorne Clemens a/k/a Mark Twain- the canonical, quintessentially American humorist & author. (1) book in very fine condition with only a bit of rubbing to edges & corners of front, back covers & spine; very light, sparse rubbing & some areas of light staining to side & esp. lower edges of text block. Interior very fine with only small areas of creasing at/ near lower corners of three page leaves (pgs. 703-708) with first two of same slightly connected at lower corner- all minor flaws as issued. Dust jacket fine with mild rubbing to front, back covers & spine; light wear & a few tiny bumps, creases at thin edges & corners of same & flaps; one very short, closed vertical tear at upper edge of back cover. (2) book very fine, substantially mint inside & out. Dust jacket very fine with only slight rubbing to front, esp. back covers & spine; a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same & flaps. Very Fine / Fine; Very Fine. [Item #4351]

Price: $70.00