Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

5RR Mark Twain, New York, First edition, 1885. 

Notes

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published in 1884, but its journey to publication was complex and influenced by Mark Twains own life and experiences. Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835, had a diverse career before becoming a writer. He worked as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River, which deeply shaped his understanding of the region and its peoples experiences that would later inform Huck Finns adventures.

The character of Huck first appeared in Twains earlier novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) as Toms mischievous friend. However, Hulk's own story took on a deeper significance. Twain was inspired by the themes of freedom, morality, and society's contradictions, which he observed while living in both the South and the broader United States. In Huckleberry Finn, he used the river journey as a metaphor for Hulk's moral and emotional development. Twain wanted to critique the social and racial issues of his time, particularly slavery, and portray Hunks internal struggle with the accepted norms of society, especially as it related to his friendship with Jim, an African American man seeking freedom.

The books publication was met with some controversy due to its language and portrayal of racial issues, which led to early censorship attempts. Twain, however, stood firm in his commitment to realism and social critique, knowing that such subjects were essential for understanding the true fabric of American society. The novel was praised for its realistic portrayal of the American South, its satirical wit, and its critique of social injustices.

Twain’s own life was marked by both successes and hardships, including financial difficulties and personal loss. His later works continued to reflect his cynical view of human nature and social inequality, but Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remains his most celebrated and influential work, shaping the direction of American literature in profound ways.

Description 

Green canvas boards with beautifully illustrated cover with gilt and embossed elements including an illustration of Huck Finn on the cover.  Illustrations throughout. Beautiful black leather and yellow canvas clamshell. Excellent condition.