Auction details
Book and Ephemera Auction - Twain, Red Men
offered by
1429 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850-6071 
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"Title: A Tramp Abroad
Author: Mark Twain Publisher: American Publishing Company Printing Year: 1879 Salesman's Sample First Edition Condition/Details: Bound in its original chocolate cloth-covered boards with gilt embossing, this antique volume is a scarce salesman's sample or ""dummy"" book, used to drive subscription sales for Twain's classic. The salesman's sample book was widely used during the late 1800's and was carried by sales representatives for publishing companies. The sample book contained a sampling of pages from the subject book and often contain two or more binding style options (color, sheepskin v. cloth, etc.) with different pricing. The tailing pages of the sample book would be blank, lined pages where orders were recorded including the name, address and choice of binding style selected by the buyer. The salesman would then submit the ""dummy"" book to the publisher who would print the orders and distribute the brand new books to the buyers. This method resulted in many, small printings and typically each printing would contain small revisions or updated advertisements, compared to the previous printing. This technique created many printing identification points and makes edition identification of early Twain printings a bit complex. From the same estate, we are also offering in this auction, a second state first edition copy of A Tramp Abroad in lot number 393. This salesman's sample shows external age/wear concentrated at the extremities, the gilt on the front board shows well with nice patina. There is considerable period marginalia on the endpapers, prelims and tailing leaves, including the name ""George Moyer"" of Caughdenoy, New York who may have been the salesman who peddled this sample book. Also among the marginalia are lists of notes and recordings, apparently of board feet of lumber cut at a sawmill. The hinges are weak and there is scattered marginalia and age marks throughout. The internal sample bindings are lacking. The book measures approximately 6"" x 9"". Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50" ImagesClick on thumbnails to see larger images:
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