Mark Twain True First Edition The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The true first edition of Mark Twain's novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

• Mark Twain [Samuel Clemens] (American).
• London: Chatto and Windus, 1876.
• 341 pages.
• Octavo.
• Preliminary leaf "New Novels...", half-title, illustration on p. 105, final leaf with printer's device.
• The original cover and spine stamped in black and gilt are bound in the rear of the book.
• Bound by Bayntun-Riviere in full brown Morocco leather with single gilt borders to covers, spine lettered and dated in gilt with one-line panels and tooled raised bands, marbled endleaves and gilt edges.

Published 9 June 1876, the English edition of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is the true first edition. Mark Twain did not want an American edition published until the novel had first appeared in England, thus securing a British copyright. The American edition was delayed and not published until nearly 6 months after this English edition.