The Rarest Of The First Editions:
NOTE: There are few more expensive copies of this same binding edition for sale in on-line book sites, but they do not have the infamous "curved fly" illustration.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. New York: Charles L. Webster and Company, FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING, with all points including the infamous "curved fly" on page 283. Published in 1884-1885.
Publisher's Deluxe Edition in 3/4's quarter half morocco binding with gilt-decorated spine, marbled edges, marbled endpapers. Illustrated throughout with 174 text illustrations after E. W. Kemble.
Copies in the original half morocco binding with the "curved fly" illustration are the rarest of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Less than two weeks before publication, the publisher Webster announced that he was binding 20,000 copies in cloth, another 2,500 in sheep, and 500 copies in half morocco. This copy was printed in 1884, before the "curved fly" page was replaced.
First Issue Points:
*Page 9 with uncorrected "decided" (this was later corrected to "decides")
*At p. 13 the erroneous page reference "88" before being changed to "87"
*At p. 57 the misprint "with the was" before it was corrected to "with the saw.
**The "curved fly" Illustration.
*Frontispiece Portrait of Twin with tablecloth underneath.
*Missing number 5 on page 155.
There are points which are disputed as First Edition but are in this edition.
Condition:This book is Very Good Minus condition. There is almost no foxing except on front illustration of Huck Finn with the fish, and on the endpapers. The book hinges have been professionally reinforced. There are some finger smudges on a few pages and minor small repaired margin tears, but the pages shown in the pictures reflect accurately the condition of this Very Rare First Edition.