The Prince and the Pauper. A Tale for Young People of All Ages. With One Hundred and Ninety-Two Illustrations.

TWAIN, Mark. The Prince and the Pauper. A Tale for Young People of All Ages. With One Hundred and Ninety-Two Illustrations. Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1882.

First American Edition, first issue, first state. Binding State A. Octavo (8vo). 411, [1] pp. With the Franklin Press imprint on the copyright page and the uncorrected readings “estate” on p. 124, “do not” on p. 263, and “reigned” on p. 362. Binding State A, with the upper central rosette on the spine approximately ⅛ inch below the horizontal fillet.

Publisher’s original green cloth, elaborately stamped in gilt and black with decorative borders and pictorial devices to the front board and spine; all edges gilt. Illustrated throughout with 192 illustrations by Frank Thayer Merrill, John J. Harley, and Ludvig Sandöe Ipsen.

Twain’s first historical novel and one of his most enduring social satires. Set in Tudor England, the exchange of identities between Edward VI and the impoverished Tom Canty allows Twain to examine class, privilege, justice, and the deceptive nature of outward appearances.

Contents generally clean and unmarked, with a small ownership bookplate to the front pastedown. Binding remains sound and square. Green cloth with light general shelf wear, principally at the corners and extremities; gilt and black stamping remain bright and attractive. A Very Good copy.

References: BAL 3402; Johnson, pp. 39–41; MacDonnell, pp. 44–45; McBride, p. 70.

[Attributes: First Edition; First Printing; Hard Cover; Illustrated.]