King Leopold’s Soliloquy: A Defense of His Congo Rule.

TWAIN, Mark [Samuel L. Clemens].

$2,000.00

Item Number: 95339

1905: The P. R. Warren Co, Boston, Massachusetts.

First edition, first issue of Twain’s work of political satire harshly condemning King Leopold’s rule over the Congo Free State. Small octavo, original wrappers as issued. In very good condition. Housed in a custom cloth and chemise case with a second edition third printing of the pamphlet  which contains the publisher’s later advisory, “The publishers desire to state that Mr. Clemens declines to accept any pecuniary return from this booklet, as it is his wish that all proceeds of sales above the cost of publication shall be used in furthering the effort for relief of the people of the Congo State. The P. R. Warren Company Boston, Mass., January 1, 1906.”

Harshly condemnatory of King Leopold's rule over the Congo Free State, Twain's 1905 pamphlet King Leopold's Soliloquy: A Defense of His Congo Rule ostensibly recounts a fictional monologue of Leopold II speaking in his own defense. The pamphlet first appeared in English and was soon published in French, German and Italian. Boston publisher P. R. Warren Company from Boston, donated all surplus to relief and aid in the Congo atrocities.