On the Art of Writing. By Mark Twain. Limited Edition. Salisbury Club. Buffalo, 1961.

Mark Twain, often considered the Father of American Literature, led a full and enigmatic life. He was an acclaimed author of novels and travelogues, but also a riverboat captain, a prospector, a journalist, a public speaker, an inventor, and a publisher. He traveled the world several times over. He adored his daughters and wife. He was friends with many of the most notable people of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Much of his experiences influenced his literature which he infused with incredible humor and social commentary. In this volume, one small work by Twain is provided for the first time––his report on the art of writing from his briefly held position as an essay judge for a student writing contest at the Buffalo Female Academy. Written early in his career, the report describes his theories on writing as a way to explain the choices for the contest winner. It is a remarkable little work, one that demonstrates his kindness and thoughtfulness. It was mostly overlooked until this edition was published by the Salisbury Club, a bibliographic society from mid-twentieth century.

This limited edition is in very good condition. It is one of only 350 copies. In the original quarter cloth, very good with rubbing and chipping to corners and some fading to spine. Text block very good with only bookplate residue to front pastedown and tape residue to back endpaper.

A scarce limited edition of this Mark Twain essay.