Roughing It.

TWAIN, Mark [Samuel L. Clemens].

Item Number: 95336

Hartford, Connecticut: American Publishing Company, 1872.

First edition, first state of Twain’s first semi-autobiographical work of travel literature, essentially a prequel to The Innocents Abroad, with the word “his” on line 21 and the advert present on page 592 (BAL 3337). Octavo, bound in the original publishers three quarters morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, all edges marbled, marbled endpapers, engraved frontispiece with tissue guard, fully illustrated by eminent artists. In near fine condition.

Dedicated to Twain's mining companion Calvin H. Higbie, Roughing It follows the travels of young Mark Twain through the Wild West during the years 1861–1867. After a brief stint as a Confederate cavalry militiaman, Twain joined his brother Orion on a stagecoach journey west. The book also chronicles many of Twain's other early adventures including a visit to Salt Lake City, gold and silver prospecting, real-estate speculation, a journey to Hawaii, and his beginnings as a writer.