Books

Hartford: American Publishing Company, 1894. First Edition. Hardcover. Faint rubbing to rear. Fine, tight copy and uncommon thus. Publisher's decorated rust brown cloth. With all first printing points described in BAL 3442. Profusely illustrated in the margins. Notable of course for its very early use of fingerprints in fiction to solve a crime, but also one of Twain's most philosophical works and a strong comment on a society that permits slavery.

"The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson" is a novel by Mark Twain set in the antebellum South. The story centers on two infants, one white and one black, switched at birth. Pudd'nhead Wilson, a keen but socially awkward lawyer, plays a key role in uncovering the switch. The novel explores themes of racial identity, slavery, and social injustice. Twain employs his trademark wit to satirize societal norms while delivering a poignant commentary on prejudice and the tragic consequences of mistaken identities.

Look for the Charles L. Webster and Company imprint with 1894 as the publication date, along with the original dust jacket.